Shelter in Place Freedom School

This summer our children are particularly vulnerable to COVID 19 as  many of our essential working parents in our low income communities have to work and at times leave children unattended or with little supervision. The Pueblo Del Rio CDF Freedom school is uniquely prepared to provide CDC Informed and rehearsed guidelines that will ensure every child is safe, well fed, and supported throughout these difficult times. Their immune systems, mental health, and overall quality of life will be improved in the span of six weeks for this summer. 

All donations will be to directly support the children with breakfast ($2,00), lunch ($2,000) hygiene supplies ($1,000), reading circles including books, a young adult from the community as  Servant Leader Interns ($10,000), materials ($2,000), and other resources needed to support our kids(water, snacks, masks, etc) The more funds we raise, the longer the program will be offered. Every dollar goes a long way!

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. This year’s summer program will adhere to locally and nationally informed Center for Disease Control COVID 19 Guidelines.

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 is a six-week summer 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. Freedom School students engage in a research-based, multicultural Integrated Reading Curriculum that supports them and their families through five essential components:

1. High quality academic enrichment

2. Parent and family development

3. Civic engagement and social action

4. Intergenerational servant leadership development

5. 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 5:1 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.