CAW was founded in 1989 by 3 women who saw a need for children of African descent to learn more about their history and heritage. This band of 3 volunteers took-in 12 students to teach them Swahili and expose them to the arts. The women soon discovered that most of their pupils had trouble reading. They determined that if these children were going to learn their history, they would first have to learn to read.
It was then CAW launched a unique cultural curriculum, anchored by a literacy acceleration program that continues to produce exceptional results.
From its humble beginnings, CAW is celebrating its 22nd year, serving 1,500+ youth and families per year in South Florida’s most high-risk neighborhoods.
All CAW programs are rooted in the affirmation that self-awareness is essential to success and is the bedrock ingredient to positive self-determination. For this reason, all of our programs incorporate training in history, culture, and self-identity.