CDF Freedom Schools - Deaconess Foundation

03/21/2024

APPLY TODAY at deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools

Beyond Housing, in partnership with Deaconess Foundation, will sponsor a network of CDF Freedom Schools® summer programs for children in grades kindergarten (children must have completed kindergarten prior to the start of the program) through five in the St. Louis region.

The program provides summer enrichment around five essential components: high-quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, and nutritional, physical, and mental health. Enrichment is driven by the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC) which primarily focuses on literacy to curb summer learning loss and close opportunity gaps.

The six-week summer program provides literacy building and personal-empowerment activities, meals, snacks and field trips at no charge to families. The CDF Freedom Schools® model also includes extensive testing and evaluation to measure academic progress.

Dates:
June 10 - July 19, 2024 (Monday - Friday)
Program will be CLOSED June 19 and July 4-5, 2024
Attendance is important during the six-week program. Absences are limited to three.

Program Hours:
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
After-care hours TBD

07/21/2023

In the final week of Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars are exploring the theme of With Hope, Education, and Action. Readings this week include All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

07/19/2023

07/18/2023

During the fifth week of our Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools our scholars are exploring the theme of World. This week’s readings include Giant Steps to Change the World by Spike and Tonya Lee and Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh. Freedom Schools is an intergenerational, culturally competent summer program built on literacy, leadership and social advocacy. Learn more here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

07/11/2023

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Holmes!

07/05/2023

This week our Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars are exploring the theme of Country. Readings highlight stories of our nation past and present, including Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Pinkey Davis. The Freedom Schools curriculum is rooted in the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

07/03/2023

Deaconess Foundation CDF Freedom Schools will be closed this Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. There will also be no aftercare on July 3 and July 4.

06/27/2023

During Week 3 of Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools our scholars are exploring Community. The free program provides children K-5 with summer activities focused on literacy building and empowerment. This week’s readings include “Something Happened in Our Town” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard and “Dream Street” by Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

06/27/2023

This week our Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars explored the theme of Family. The six-week Freedom Schools program centers on literacy, leadership, and social advocacy. Featured readings this week included “My Hands Tell A Story” by Kelly Starling Lyons and “Our Story Starts in Africa” by Patrice Lawrence. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

06/27/2023

During their first week of Children's Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools our scholars explored the theme of Self. Readings included “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson and “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words” by Stacey Abrams. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/