The Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools program is a literacy-rich summer program designed to serve children in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is rare, cost-prohibitive or non-existent.  CDF Freedom Schools programs feature a model curriculum for reading enrichment, youth leadership development, cultural enrichment, parent empowerment, civic engagement, and social action.  In partnership with schools, churches, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities, through Freedom Schools, the Children's Defense Fund boosts children's motivation to read and generates positive attitudes towards learning, while connecting the needs of children and families to the resources of the community.  A key goal of the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools program is leadership development: identifying, training, linking, and nurturing the next generation of servant-leaders.  CDF Freedom Schools programs are staffed primarily by college-aged young adults who are committed to active lives of leadership and service for children.

We are proud to announce that a CDF Freedom School program will be in the Kalamazoo community this summer!  This program is sponsored by Kalamazoo Communities In Schools and will be hosted at New Life Fellowship Church, located at 1912 Birch Street off of Mt. Olivet.  We will be serving 80 scholars in K-12th grade, from June 29-July 31st, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.  Priority will be given to children attending Kalamazoo Public Schools residing in the Eastside neighborhood.  Second priority will be given to Edison neighborhood youth.  Please contact Demarra Gardner, Executive/Program Director if you are interested in enrolling your child, would like to make a donation, or would like to volunteer, at change.agent.consulting@gmail.com or 337-1601 x210.  Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis until April 15th. 

To learn more, please visit www.freedomschools.org.