The CRAVE Academy

07/11/2025

06/12/2025

Flint & Genesee County students impacted by the Job Corps closure — we’re here for you.

Join us this Friday, June 13 from 11AM–3PM at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library for a Resource Fair hosted by the Opportunity Youth Coalition.

✅ Reconnect with education options (high school, GED, college)
✅ Explore job opportunities and training programs
✅ Get support for essential needs (food, clothing, healthcare & more)

📍 Gloria Coles Flint Public Library: 1026 E. Kearsley St. Flint, MI 48503
📅 Friday, June 13 | 11:00AM–3:00PM
🎓 Bring your Job Corps ID if possible

Let’s get you back on track—with real support, real resources, and real connections.

Questions? Email us at info@engageflint.com or call 810-545-7070.

06/06/2025

At MDRC LEAD-IN, we train nonprofit leaders on how to create a more inclusive workplace. We understand that creating a truly inclusive workplace means recognizing and removing barriers that hinder individuals with disabilities.

Below is a great article that shares 9 Steps for Employers to Build a Disability-Inclusive Workplace. From identifying obstacles in your hiring process to implementing inclusive policies, this guide offers practical insights to enhance diversity and inclusion in your organization.

Read the full article here: https://compt.io/blog/build-a-disability-inclusive-workplace/

Do you want to learn more about creating inclusive workplaces? Join our 2025 LEAD-IN cohort in August. Learn more about the program, and fill out the interest form, https://forms.gle/pLWtGPwk5G5Xdutx9

06/04/2025

06/04/2025

Congratulations to Payton Shoens, the middle school Tartar of the Month for June! Thanks, Mark at Mastyl Signs for the plaque!

06/04/2025

06/03/2025

Every Thursday at 1:00pm this summer, staring June 5th, enjoy your lunch on the lawn and make a craft to take home.

06/03/2025

Celebrate International Tabletop Day with us! Bring your own board game to play or join with others. All ages welcome from 10:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday, June 7th.

05/30/2025

🎉 Two Years of Impact! 🎉

As the school year wraps up, we're proud to celebrate everything The CRAVE Academy has accomplished in just two years of serving Genesee County!

✅ Partnered with 9 local schools
✅ Trained 138 students in work readiness and life skills
✅ Connected 10 families to essential support resources
✅ Helped 3 students enroll in community college
✅ Placed over 15 students in permanent jobs — and counting!

We’re not done yet.
Still growing. Still serving. Still CRAVING more.

Thank you to every student, school, family, and partner who’s believed in our mission. Let’s keep building brighter futures together!

05/30/2025

🎓 Coming August 2025 — The College Prep Scavenger Hunt! 🔍

We’re excited to announce a fun and interactive college fair experience like no other — designed just for high school students and their families!

Students will explore colleges, universities, and trade programs by solving clues, completing challenges, and meeting with real college reps along the way. It’s a great way to get college prep info and have a blast doing it.

✅ Meet local and statewide schools
✅ Learn about scholarships, campus life & student support
✅ Win cool prizes and walk away with real knowledge

📅 This event will take place in August 2025 — full details coming soon!

Hosted by The CRAVE Academy, this experience is open to all high school students — including those with disabilities — and is designed to inspire confidence, connection, and college readiness.

If you represent a vocational program, trade school, post-grad program, or postsecondary institution and would like to participate, please email: thecraveacademy@gmail.com.

Stay tuned and follow us for updates on date, location, and how to register!

05/30/2025

🌱 Summer is in Full Bloom at Crave Academy! 🎥🍓

We’re excited to kick off our summer work-based learning program in partnership with The Urban Renaissance Center’s Fruits of Our Labor initiative! Over the next 11 weeks, 8+ Crave Academy students will be working in the community garden, learning responsibility, teamwork, and sustainability while growing fresh produce to give back to the community.

And that’s not all—our students will also be leading a multimedia social media campaign, sharing their journey through podcasting, video storytelling, and digital content straight from the URC media hub. 💻🎤🌿

This summer, they’re growing more than crops—they’re building skills, telling their stories, and showing what’s possible when young people with disabilities are given the space to thrive.

Stay tuned for weekly updates from the garden and the studio!

10/11/2024

I be in awe at how much my life as changed over the past few years. 🤍🤍🤍

My business & efforts at The CRAVE Academy are being recognized by the U.S Senate. 🧡💜💚

Ahhhhhh! This is so cool!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤗🤗😭😭