An association of individuals and agencies who recognize and celebrate the distinct moral qualities, ethical standards and principles which are evident in positive role models and community leaders.

Character is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. - Chris Draft

“Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.”
-- Phillips Brooks, former Bishop of Massachusetts

One key idea and goal of the Chris Draft Family Foundation (CDFF) is to help young men and women become the best people they possibly can. The foundation of these values starts with one thing: character.

In August 2007, CDFF launched the Character Team™ - an association of individuals and agencies who recognize and celebrate the distinct moral qualities, ethical standards and principles which are evident in positive role models and community leaders – to help people around the country recognize the importance of character.

The focal point of the Character Team is to provide unchanging, unwavering and indestructible standards as a means of measurement, focusing on the key character traits of:

Compassion  (n) deep awareness of the suffering of another with the wish to relieve it
Courage  (n) the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty (danger, pain, etc.) with bravery
Honest (adj.) honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair
Perseverance (n) steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of obstacles or discouragement
Respect (v) esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability
Responsible (adj.) reliable or dependable; answerable or accountable
Self-discipline  (n) training and control of oneself and one's conduct

These are simply a handful of the key attributes of leaders used to push youth in various cities to define character for themselves.

The CDFF accomplishes its mission of character building through strategic partnerships across the country, including working with groups like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way and with individual school districts all over the United States. The Character Team™ is also represented across the country through various character-based programs such as the signature CDFF “A Discussion and a Movie” platform, which invites students in various cities countrywide to a private screening of a family-friendly film, complete with a discussion of the film.