Q3 Report - An Update from CAC
Greetings CAC Family & Friends!
Lamentations 3:25 states, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him." This scripture has served as a reminder of God’s goodness as well as a source of encouragement for our children who must deal with the uncertainties of life. These uncertainties span from having a healthy meal to having a safe place to be a child. It remains our goal to ensure CAC remains a safe space for children to learn, grow, and explore life as they experience the love of Christ.
Our mission statement, “To embrace kids with the love of Christ and equip them to thrive” is not a catch phrase, but it is our mandate to make a difference in the lives of our students. When asked, “What do you like about the CAC?”, Tyron, a 6th grade student, remarked “it’s because the staff listens to me and really care about me.” Testimonies like this remind us that our labor is not in vain. Your continuous prayers and financial support are proof that God is with us. As I reflect back on the third quarter, there are a few successes that I would like to highlight.
First, we currently have 108 students enrolled. Of those students, 71% attend CAC at least 3 or more times per week and are deemed to be regular attendees. Regular participation has shown a positive impact on reading and math proficiency. The math and reading proficiency rates for our regular attendees are 71% and 68%, respectively, which exceeds the District 189 rate of 12% for math and 27% for reading. Truly remarkable!
During the third quarter we were pleased to welcome Darmarrion Abrams to the CAC staff. Darmarrion is a CAC alumni who started in our programming at the age of 7. Fast forward 14 years and Darmarrion brings his energy and passion for our youth and will be assisting in a variety of roles to include fitness, recreation, and classroom support.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, also known as STEM education, is a critical competitive advantage for our students as they evaluate career options and begin to prepare for life beyond grade school. Recently our students were grouped into cohorts by 2nd-3rd grade and 4th-5th grade and challenged to complete a LEGO Engineering & Art unit. Through this program students learned that LEGO building combines artistic creativity with engineering and problem-solving. They designed, sketched, and built a free-choice creation that allowed them to combine these skills. Both cohorts also completed a Slime Science unit that introduced polymer chemistry, non-Newtonian fluids, and lab safety habits, which was also paired with a hands-on build day and a structured troubleshooting reference.
Trailblazers for Christ (TFC) is a new mentoring group for our middle school and high school boys. Our goal is to provide positive male role models, foster emotional resilience, and reduce the risk of juvenile delinquency. What a blessing this group has been already – we look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in the lives of our young men!
We are also pleased to announce Heartlink Grief Center as a community partner. Heartlink provides a variety of services for children who are trying to manage a serious illness or death of someone they love. Partnerships like this enable us to meet the social and emotional needs of our children. As we consider how to best support our children in a holistic way, our partnership with Heartlink is yet another vital resource.
Our annual back-to-school celebration was a huge success! With the help of several local community partners and church groups from near and far, we provided book bags filled with supplies to more than 250 students. The event also featured health screenings, bounce houses, food, games, and a variety of resources for parents. It was truly joyous to see so many students excited for the new school year and even more rewarding to know they were starting off equipped for success!
It’s hard to believe we are now in the fourth quarter! As we enter the holiday season, we begin with Thanksgiving – and how thankful we are for each one of you and the impact that your time, talent, and treasures are having on our children! And as we enter the Christmas season, we look forward to our annual Secret Santa campaign! Many of you have given so generously to the Secret Santa program over the years – please keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox for additional details about how you can support us in 2026.
The Lord has surely blessed us with the resources to make a difference in the lives of so many – thank you for the role that you’re playing in our success! I pray that each of you is able to take time to reflect, celebrate, and give thanks in the weeks ahead.
Blessings to you!
Dr. Jeffrey A. Williams
Executive Director
Christian Activity Center
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