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ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø students serve as servant leader interns for Brenda H. Tapia CDF Freedom Schools.

The Freedom Schools program was developed by the (CDF) and provides summer enrichment experiences for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program fosters a love of reading, increased self-esteem, and positive attitudes towards learning.

Classes are held at the Ada Jenkins Center in ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø, and students receive two meals and a snack each day. Each year, six ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø students receive training to serve as servant leader interns for the program, which is grounded in a model curriculum that includes five essential components:

• High quality academic enrichment
• Parent and family involvement
• Civic engagement and social action
• Intergenerational leadership development
• Nutrition, health and mental health.

Through participation in the program, children learn the following:

• Appreciation and knowledge of one's culture engender self-worth and the ability to live in ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø with others.
• Learning communities offer a sense of safety, love, caring, and personal power needed for transformative education.
• As citizens, children and adults have the power to make a difference in their communities.

Summer 2024 Details

Brenda H. Tapia CDF Freedom Schools is a six-week summer program. The program will tentatively run from Monday, June 10 - Friday, July 19* daily from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We are off on Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth and Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 for Independence Day. Scholars are expected to attend every week of programming. Summer attendance will impact future invites back to the program. *Dates are subject to change.

We will accept 50 scholars (20:  Kinder - 2nd graders, 20: 3rd - 5th graders, and 10: 6th - 8th graders).



To learn more about Freedom School visit the Children's Defense Fund website .

Freedom Schools Special Events 

National Day of Social Action: 

Each year CDF Freedom Schools communities participate in the National Day of Social Action (NDSA) project – a collective organizing effort centered around CDF’s principles and Leave No Child Behind mission. This year’s NDSA will happen on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, and will focus on an issue determined by the Children's Defense Fund. More information to follow in early 2024.

• When: Wednesday, July 17
• Where: TBA
• Time: TBA
• Who: You + a friend!

Finale: 

A ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø-wide celebration that is a culmination of our scholar's wonderful talents shared through performances and artwork displays!

• When: Friday, July 19
• Where: TBA
• Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Who: You + a friend!

Application Process

At this time,  our enrollment form for summer 2024 is closed. Thank you for your interest in our program. We hope to connect with you in a future year!

Thank you for considering our program for your scholar!