Welcome

The Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools© program is a literacy-rich summer program designed to serve children in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is rare, cost-prohibitive or non-existent.  CDF Freedom Schools© programs feature a model curriculum for reading enrichment, youth leadership development, cultural enrichment, parent empowerment, civic engagement, and social action.  In partnership with schools, churches, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities, through Freedom Schools, the Children's Defense Fund boosts children's motivation to read and generates positive attitudes towards learning, while connecting the needs of children and families to the resources of the community.  A key goal of the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools© program is leadership development: identifying, training, linking, and nurturing the next generation of servant-leaders.  CDF Freedom Schools© programs are staffed primarily by college-aged young adults who are committed to active lives of leadership and service for children.