JuNe 2025 Newsletter

2024-25 YEAR IN REVIEW

It’s been an incredible year for Craftsman with Character®. Whether you’re an active partner or simply cheering us on, we wanted to share what your support made possible this year. The 2024–25 Impact Report is now live. Here’s a quick look:

  • 69% of business partners are hiring or planning to hire a CWC student

  • 92% of students found hands-on learning the most valuable part of the course

  • 60% of business partners saw a positive impact on workplace culture

  • 92% of business partners observed stronger career awareness in students

  • 100% of business partners would recommend the program to others

View the full Impact Report

Help Us Keep It Going

We’ve launched our official Fundraising Campaign to keep building on this momentum. With our initial U.S. Navy grant completing its planned 3-year cycle, we’re calling on our community to help sustain and grow this vital work for the future. Whether through a corporate sponsorship or individual support, your contribution helps students, businesses, and communities thrive.

Watch the video and learn how you can support CWC

Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) celebrated their first CWC cohort this spring with a graduation event and plaques recognizing each student, their school, and business partners. These celebrations are an important part of the program, honoring the success of students, businesses, and schools. After a strong first experience, ALCS will run two cohorts next year (fall and spring). Photo courtesy of Palmer Johnson Power Systems in Sun Prairie, WI.

Student & Business Spotlights

Across Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas, this year’s CWC students are already making an impact:

  • Edgerton High School: Now in its 12th year, 15 students graduated from CWC, with many launching careers in machining, welding, auto tech, heavy equipment operation, and even well drilling and pumps.

  • United Alloy & Janesville School District: Aiden, a CWC student, shows what’s possible when schools and businesses collaborate. Through CWC and United Alloy’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, Aiden overcame personal challenges, graduated early, and is now a full-time welder, with plans to continue training through United Alloy’s Weld Scholarship Program.

  • Preferred Technologies in Houston, TX: Congrats to the Class of 2025, many of whom are now stepping into summer internships in a range of departments from IT to Operations.

We’re so grateful for your partnership in making this work possible.

 

PROGRAM & PARTNER UPDATE

  • Fall 2025 cohorts are onboarding now, and sign-ups for Spring 2026 are open! Now is the time for schools and businesses to plan ahead and get involved in the next school year.

  • Mentor training is going virtual! This fall, mentors can choose either a self-guided video + assessment or attend a live Zoom training — making it easier than ever to get started with CWC. If your business is participating, watch for details coming soon.

  • Active partners — share your best stories, photos, and quotes for inclusion in our July feature! Email us at info@cwcharacter.org with your story.

  • New referrals — know a school or business that should get involved? Encourage them to register for a Program Overview Presentation on our website. 

 

Thank you for your ongoing passion and partnership. You make CWC more than just a program. You’re giving young people a sense of purpose, belonging, and pride in work that truly matters.


- The Craftsman with Character® Team