Educating for Freedom in Schools expands program

The after-school and summer program, Educating for Freedom in Schools is growing.

More youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade will have the opportunity to be part of the program, which that uses the Children's Defense School model, as a result of a $100,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grant will support a two-year pilot program.

Through the program, learners participate in an after-school program daily, on Saturdays, and during the summer. They receive assistance with homework, support from tutors, literacy support and more. Health and wellness education and activities that promote social justice also are included. Summer programs also are offered.

The program is expanding from three times a week to daily. Saturday is family engagement day. Field trips, gardening, and arts are part of the learning experience.

"This program is for all children, no matter their economic or academic need," says Demarra Gardner, Educating for Freedom in Schools founding executive director.

Results show that EFIS youth program participants:

• Maintain and increase literacy levels;

• Increase social and emotional skills across eight areas, such as decision-making, relationship skills, and self-management; and

•  Have a high quality youth development experience as measured by Youth Program Quality Assessment data.

Students’ work in the classroom is supported through individualized homework and tutoring. There is an integrated reading curriculum that is culturally-relevant. The daily lessons are based on literature using “read alouds” and focus on the belief that young people can make a difference in themselves and their community through exploration, cooperative learning, and civic engagement activities.

The program that has been located in a number of different facilities since it was founded in 2008, is now being offered in the Tree of Life School in the Edison neighborhood.

Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools is a national afterschool and summer program focused on literacy, leadership development, social justice, family engagement, and health and wellness. The program is affiliated with the Children’s Defense Fund, which is a national child rights organization that has been around for over 40 years. More than 13,000 children have been served by the CDF Freedom Schools program in over 190 communities nationwide since 1992.

“We’re so proud to be able to offer young people and families in this community the opportunity to enhance education using a culturally-sensitive approach that gets results,” says Demarra Gardner, EFIS founding executive director. “This program gives every child of every background a chance to learn, make a difference, engage and contribute to our community.”

For more information on the program or to enroll a youngster, contact freedomschoolskzoo@gmail.com or call (269) 779-0415. Volunteer readers, leaders and donors are also needed. More information also is available on the Education for Freedom in Schools website and Facebook page. 

Source: Demarra Gardner, Educating for Freedom in Schools