Freedom School 2023

Fall Program Begins September 19, 2023, Tuesday – Friday 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Program is a free six-week summer literacy cultural enrichment program designed to serve children and youth in grades K-12. The CDF program enhances children’s motivation to read and helps them discover the joy of learning The program provides enrichment through five essential components:

• High Quality academic and character-building enrichment
• Parent and family involvement
• Civic engagement and social action
• Intergenerational servant leadership development
• Nutrition and health (mental and physical)

The St. Mark Youth and Family Center is dedicated to ensuring our children’s success through quality education and plans to launch a Freedom School on the South Side of Chicago. The program will be held in the Chatham community at the St. Mark United Methodist Church and will consist of both an after-school and summer program that will carry on the legacy of successful Freedom Schools. Both programs will have a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio to provide more individualized academic training for students.