2022 Fast Facts
The CDF Freedom Schools Model
Through the CDF Freedom Schools model, we empower youth to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, country, and world with hope, education, and action.
Rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, the CDF Freedom Schools program has historically and continues to be a part of the Black Community Crusade for Children®. The CDF Freedom Schools program offers engagement through both a six-week summer and after-school literacy and cultural enrichment program designed to serve children and youth in grades K–12 in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is limited, too expensive, or non-existent. By partnering with schools, faith and community-based organizations, municipalities, colleges and universities, and juvenile detention facilities, we are able to offer this program in these communities at no-cost.
The CDF Freedom Schools program enhances children’s motivation to read and makes them feel good about learning. At the same time, the program connects families to the right resources in their communities. CDF Freedom Schools school-aged scholars engage in a research-based, multicultural Integrated Reading Curriculum that supports them and their families through five essential components:
- High quality academic enrichment
- Parent and family development
- Civic engagement and social action
- Intergenerational servant leadership development
- Nutrition, health, and mental health
- Students also receive two nutritious meals and a snack daily, as well as a book each week to build their home libraries.
We believe in an intergenerational leadership model. That’s why our program is staffed primarily by college students and recent college graduates, with a 10:1 child to adult ratio. As a result, many children and youth make significant gains in reading achievement and don’t experience any summer learning loss.
In response to the global pandemic, the CDF Freedom Schools partnered with sponsor organizations to meet the needs of families through:
- In-Person Program Operation (adhering to guidelines outlined by local governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))
- Virtual Program Operation
- Hybrid Program Operation
For more information on the CDF Freedom Schools program and its program operation methods please contact us.
