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URBAN FREEDOM SCHOOLS PLANT SEEDS OF POSSIBILITIES

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Written: 8/8/2011 Something inside so strong I know that I can make it Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong This was the message that echoed throughout Summit on 16th United Methodist Church in Columbus on July 31, 2011 during the grand finale of the University District Freedom Schools, representing sites located at Maynard Ave. and Summit on 16th UnitedMethodistChurches. That night, this chorus of words went beyond the walls of the church and across the city just as it had every morning for six weeks prior, moving like a wave to the sound of childrens voices.

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Freedom School Celebration at Summit on Nearly 600 children (scholars) throughout Ohio were enrolled in 16th UMC. Photo by Jim DeCamp Freedom Schools this summer, a six-week summer program established by the Childrens Defense Fund for children ages 5-18 as a way foster summer readingandculturalenrichment.Nationally,approximately10,000scholarsareenrolledin the program. Click here for a photo gallery of the Summit on 16th event: Click here for a photo gallery of the Westside event: Currently, there are 151 Freedom schools throughout the country with 12 in Ohio (up from three in 2010), including eight in Columbus, three in Cleveland and one in Dayton. Modeled after the Freedom Summer of 1964 during the civil rights era, Freedom Schools celebrate Harambee, a Swahili word that means lets all pull together, as children and adults, friends and enemies, people of many races and cultural backgrounds, join together tocelebratethemselvesandeachother. Quartez Harris, college student and servant leader intern, said to the scholars, Although yourpastshapesyou,itdoesnt have to define you. The United Methodist Church has answered a call to enhance the lives of children by leadingtheFreedomSchoolmovementinOhio.UnitedMethodistaffiliatedsitesinclude Broad Street UMC, Maynard Ave UMC, Summit on 16th UMC and the Greater Hilltop Area Shalom Zone in Columbus, a community initiative led by Rev. Julia Nielsen Bingman, executive director, and Bishop Joseph Sprague(ret.). Again,itechoed.Something inside so strong According to Rev. Laura Young, senior organizer for the Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio and ordained United Methodist minister, the theme of Freedom Schools is that children can enlarge>> Freedom School Celebration in West Columbus, photo make a difference in themselves through hope, education and by Benjamin Derkin action. As one servant leader intern stated, Freedom School is a colorful place of acceptance and love. The multi-cultural curriculum, implemented by college students called Servant Leader Interns, is designed to promote literacy and to reinforce non-violent conflict resolution and

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communityengagement. United Methodist Bishop C. Joseph Sprague (ret.), a leader in the Freedom School movement on Columbus West Side, said, With constant reports of urban woes and rampant violence, Central Ohioans can rejoice in the good news contained in the eight Columbus-areaFreedomSchools.TheZones three schools on the Hilltop resonated with the joy of reading, the strength of mentors, and the sheer glee of sweet dreams replacing the sour nightmares of Gods precious urban children. The Freedom School model focuses on parental involvement through literacy by encouragingparentstotakeanactiveroleinthelivesoftheirchildren. This program has planted seeds, said April Blaine, executive director of The University District CDF Freedom Schools and co-pastorofSummitUnitedMethodistChurch.Planting seedsisastart.What has started has to continue at home. According to Young, the CDF Freedom Schools program boosts student motivation to read, generates positive attitudes toward learning and connects the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. Thisisnotjustreading.Notjustschool, saidYoung.It is love. Other Stories and Resources: All of the Central Ohio area Freedom Schools marched on the Ohio State HouseWednesday,July13th.400orsochildren&adults,primarilyAfrican-American and low-income gathered at Broad Street UMC and did Harambee (a highly energetic time of pullingtogetherwithchants,cheers,reading,andsinging). InsupportofafairbudgetforeducationinOhioandthiscountry,theythenmarcheddown bothsidesofBroadSt.totheStateHouse.Thechildrenmadesignsandbanners, preparedlettersandpetitions.Astheymarchedtheychantedandcheered.AttheState Housetheydepositedtheirletters&petitionsinacollectionboxattheentranceandthen returnedtoBroadSt.UMCforlunch.BroadStreetUnitedMethodistChurchFreedom School:Video:Students Defend Education Spending For the congregation at Summit on 16th, this has been an exciting time of revitalization and growth.Theenergyandexcitementthattheprogramandthechildrenhavebroughttothe widercommunityhasbeencontagious!Peace with Justice...1 story...2 churches...100 children. The Plain Dealers recent coverage of Cleveland CDF Freedom Schools is here: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/07/freedom_school_program_from_ci.html Information about Childrens Defense Funds 2011 National Day of Social Action is here: http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs-campaigns/freedom-schools/about/nationdays-social-action.html Suburban News Publications coverage is here:http://snponline.com/articles/2011/07/27/multiple_papers/opinion/columnists/allwiltshi_20110725_1138am_1.txt

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