Welcome

Kalamazoo Freedom School was birthed as a result of the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools© program. What started out, in 2008, as a committment to serve children during the summer, has evolved into a not for profit, 501(c)3 organization eager to serve the needs of some of its most vulnerable populations through the integration of the core concepts of CDF Freedom Schools©. With a relaunch of programming starting in 2012, the organization intends to expand its summer programming to serve a min. of 200 students, and to conduct a pilot afterschool program serving a min. of 50 students through the CDF Freedom Schools© model. In addition, we will be working to slowly incoporate culturally relevant mentoring, parenting and youth leadership, tutoring, and college preparatory services into Kalamazoo Freedom School core services in partnership with existing organizations. As we grow you will play an intrical part in our success. Please contact us today to determine how you can support us in our efforts.

Our foundational service, CDF Freedom Schools© is a literacy-rich summer and afterschool 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, social action, and health and wellness.  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.

To learn more about why CDF Freedom Schools© is something worth investing in for our community, please watch this video created by Freedom School Partners based in Charlotte, North Carolina.