Jovon Times (Freedom School site coordinator) making presentation to the group
Charlotte, NC – The Freedom School six-week summer program came to a conclusion on Friday, July 30th on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. Head softball coach
Jovon Times was the site coordinator for the JCSU location. Created by the Children's Defense Fund, Freedom Schools® are six-week, literacy-based summer learning programs designed for inner-city children at risk of school failure.
Founded in November of 1999 by Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, Freedom School Partners provides quality after-school programs, parent education, and summer Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs for children and families in Charlotte's inner-city neighborhoods.
The FSP programs are for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade; which focus on literacy and cultural awareness, and programs for parents that involve them in their children's education.
“Freedom school is like no other school, it stands alone; it helps expand a child's thinking and takes them to new heights,” said Times. “This summer program isn't about getting the kids outside and putting a ball in their hands, it makes them think and prepares them for life. Freedom school is a movement and hopefully it becomes more integrated within the school system.”
The model complements school-year learning, inspires a love of reading and builds self-awareness in a fun and culturally rich environment. Under the instruction of college-student interns, scholars learn through an integrated reading curriculum that includes conflict resolution, problem solving and social action.
About two-thirds of the ninth-grade achievement gap between lower and higher income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years.
In summer 2009, the addition of Johnson C. Smith University, A Child's Place (serving homeless children), and Christ Lutheran Church brought the total to nine Freedom Schools serving over 500 students.
FSP is working to build its capacity to meet the learning needs of low-income students in Charlotte. FSP launched a Five-Year Expansion Plan in 2009 that represents a comprehensive design for transformational growth. In addition to growing its CDF Freedom Schools® programming to include considerably more sites during the summer months, FSP plans to pilot a year-round Freedom Schools after-school model.
For more information on the Freedom School Program, please visit
www.freedomschoolpartners.org .
