This past summer, six CDF Freedom Schools across the West Ohio Conference brought the joy of learning to more than 370 scholars. Created by the Children’s Defense Fund, Freedom Schools help students gain literacy and leadership skills, as well as confidence in their abilities. Freedom Schools in West Ohio partner with the following UM churches: Asbury North UMC in Columbus, Church for All People, Covenant UMC in Springfield, Grace UMC in Dayton, Trinity UMC in Lima, and Monroe Street UMC in Toledo. The West Ohio Conference provides small grants to each Freedom School thanks to support for the Peace with Justice Special Offering. Each Freedom School reported incredible transformations for scholars and leaders alike – here are just a few examples:

“A young scholar joined Freedom School through a recommendation from a local family emergency shelter. This student received a scholarship to participate in the program. At first, he was very shy and hesitant to participate. He was welcomed with the care, encouragement, and support of our dedicated staff. Through engaging literacy activities, meaningful relationships, and daily breakfast and lunch, he gradually came out of his shell. His confidence grew, along with his love of reading. By the end of the program, his reading score had improved significantly, and he was well prepared to begin school in the fall. His journey reminds us that when children are given nourishment, support, and opportunities to learn, they can flourish.”

“In the spring, my son was asked to leave the after school program because of a behavior that wasn’t safe for anyone involved. But when summer came, those same staff welcomed him into Freedom School for a fresh start. They showed him that he still belonged and that one action didn’t define who he was. I watched his confidence grow. He began reading and researching children’s mental health, spending hours learning at home instead of playing video games. Then, one hot afternoon in July, he stood on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse, in front of lawmakers and dozens of people, and spoke about his own story and struggles. Seeing him use his voice like that meant so much to me. The staff helped him learn something that will stay with him: he is not his worst action. They could support him, but he had to take responsibility and do the work to repair any hurt or damage he caused. He spent the whole summer putting that lesson into practice. To me, that felt like a miracle. They saw a leader in my son and helped him see that in himself. That’s what Freedom Schools can do—it gives our children opportunities to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”

“One of the most rewarding parts of Freedom School is watching children begin to believe in themselves. MJ started the summer needing extra support with reading and confidence. As the weeks went by, we saw MJ grow not only as a reader but also as a learner who was more willing to participate and try new things. By the end of the summer, MJ had made progress in reading, but even more importantly, had gained confidence and a sense of pride. Moments like these remind us that Freedom School is about more than reading. It's about helping children discover what they are capable of and believe in themselves.”

You can support Freedom Schools by giving online through the West Ohio Conference or by organizing a Peace with Justice Special Offering at your church. For more information, contact Mariellyn Grace, Director of Mission Engagement, at mgrace@wocumc.org.