First State Community Action to bring Freedom School to Sussex 

First State Community Action Agency has announced that it is the proud recipient of an $80,000 grant from United Way of Delaware, to implement the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School in June 2021.

Currently, there are 32 states implementing Freedom Schools with only one school in the State of Delaware in Wilmington.

In Georgetown, First State Community Action Agency will be hosting the second Freedom School in Delaware. Such an achievement is yet another quality collaboration and partnership to serve youth, families, and communities. Executive Director Bernice Edwards praised the initiative and is grateful for the opportunity.

The mission of the Children’s Defense Fund is to ensure every child a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. The CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer and after-school enrichment through a research-based and multicultural program model that supports K-12 scholars and their families through five essential components: high quality academic and character-building enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement and social action; intergenerational servant leadership development; and nutrition, health and mental health.

Freedom Schools were temporary, alternative, and free schools for African Americans mostly in the South. They were originally part of a nationwide effort during the Civil Rights Movement to organize African Americans to achieve social, political and economic equality in the United States. These schools have now evolved into educational and civic institutions that empower the holistic embodiment of young people across the nation.

Edwards said, “The time is now for us, our nation, and communities, to help our youth develop into scholars and world changers. First State is grateful for the opportunity to provide such a valuable and historical program to the people of Sussex County. I am confident in the leadership of Dr. Sandi Hagans-Morris and her team as they help lead this effort on behalf of our agency.”