Program Goals
Each summer, Read Lead provides the CDF Freedom Schools program to hundreds of scholars throughout Los Angeles County. With a 10:1 student to teacher ratio, Read Lead scholars will experience a program that will ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to be able matriculate into college and to be successful in life.
Our program builds our scholars’ self-esteem, increases their love of reading and introduces them to various activities not provided by the traditional school system. In six weeks of learning, scholars will read over 80 books that are developmentally appropriate, reflect children’s own images, relate their authentic history, culture, and heritage through the eyes of children, introduce children to adults and children who make a difference in the lives of others, offer encouragement to become involved in community service, help children explore fundamental issues related to self-esteem and expand their capacity to dream and to believe they can make their dreams reality. Read Lead’s goals in delivering the CDF Freedom Schools® program include:
To instill in children, youth, and young adults intrinsic values of reading, high achievement, community service, and social action to create well rounded globally minded citizens
To increase parent and family involvement by engaging parents as volunteers but also as adult learners and advocates through parent meetings and trainings that run parallel to the student program
To develop intergenerational leaders, cultivated from the communities served by our program, who receive training in civic leadership, social justice, and social entrepreneurship
To connect the complex needs of children and families to the rich resources of the local community by introducing them to the local library, neighborhood cultural centers, and science and technology museums
To build healthy lifestyles in our children to foster a healthy body and mind. We do this through providing nutritious meals twice each day of the program and by leading fun physical activities
About Read Lead CDF Freedom Schools Program
Read Lead is an educational initiative that provides literacy and leadership opportunities for youth and young adults in Los Angeles County. Through strategic partnerships, we engage families, school districts, schools, and community agencies by providing literacy-based summer and after school programs, and a leadership institute focusing on civic, and social entrepreneurial leadership. Read Lead is led by young professionals and educators who have an innovative approach to service delivery that leverages community resources and expertise to improve the educational landscape.
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