Mission

At the FSLC, we work alongside children and families from communities under systemic pressures to: 

  • Build on and secure academic, social, cultural, economic and environmental literacies & legacies;

  • Challenge societal oppression and support pathways for  school and life success;

  • Become part of the resistance and change

Vision

Creating a transformational learning space with our communities’ children, youth and families where our collective strengths are recognized, cultures honored, and capacities to make a difference in our neighborhoods and our futures are cultivated and inspired.

Freedom Scholars logo was inspired by the West African symbol of freedom. Freedom from barriers to learn, freedom to be yourself and be loved, free to pursue any future you dream. But the symbol also inspires the ima.png

History

In 2007, a CDF Freedom School Summer Literacy Enrichment Program opened in Rochester’s Beechwood neighborhood. This was part of a nation-wide effort to empower children in marginalized communities to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, country and world with hope, education and action. Since then Freedom School has offered a place where our neighborhood children are valued, celebrated and given opportunities to improve their reading skills while connecting to their culture, developing self-discipline, having fun, and participating in community service and social action.  It has been a recipe that brings families back, summer after summer, and strengthens the confidence and progress of hundreds of children in an otherwise disenfranchised community.

In the summer of 2020, the disruptions of COVID-19 and the challenges of local non-profits became significant threats to the future of the Freedom School. In late summer a group of Freedom School servant leaders, teachers, program administrators and community members came together, determined to overcome these challenges and constraints. 

Freedom Scholars Learning Center

With so much at stake, the leadership planning team decided to embark on forming a new organization: The Freedom Scholars Learning Center (FSLC). The new center is completely independent and builds on the strong foundation of the group’s collective Freedom School experiences, developed through years serving the families and youth in our neighborhoods.

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