Freedom School Scholars’ Joyous Moments!

What a joy it was to have children on the Emmaus House campus again this summer. The sounds of our scholars gave us signs of new hope as they chanted, sang, played, and read books! 

Take a look at the joyous moments captured throughout the program.

A small group of Freedom School scholars created thank you cards together.

Fridays at Freedom School are fun days with afternoon swimming!

During Harambee, we honored Herman Shackleford, “Shack,” our building and grounds coordinator. He keeps the grounds beautiful, ensures the classrooms are free of trash, and performs countless other maintenance duties at Emmaus House. It’s no wonder every Freedom School child and staff member signed his thank you card!

Our on-site healthcare assistant, Akeisha Moseley, treats a Freedom School scholar with tender loving care and attention.

We were so excited to have the principal of the Barack and Michelle Obama Academy, Robin Christian, as our read aloud guest for Harambee this morning!

We are blessed to have dedicated community volunteers who have served with us for several summers. One of them is Marni Davis, an associate professor of history at Georgia State University.

On Fridays at Freedom School, children receive books to keep. Because of tremendous book donations from the Cathedral's St. Veronica's Guild and members of the Church of the Epiphany, we are able to give even more books to scholars each week this summer!

Ms. Bridget leads an Integrated Reading Curriculum class for the K-2nd graders.

Photos from Harambee, when Bishop Wright read “Naturally Me!”, a book designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence in children.

Scholars work on a lettering project in the afternoon art class.

Scholars created images using abstract shapes during the first week of Freedom School. (Art Class 1 & 5)

Ms. Mimi's afternoon yoga and meditation class is the most relaxing time of the day!

After reading "Tashi and the Tibetan Flower Cure" the 3rd-5th graders planned a tea ceremony in the Emmaus House Easter garden. During the ceremony they honored their Junior Servant Leaders, Margalit and Joseph.

During our six-week summer Freedom Schools© program, scholars’ reading and social skills improved dramatically. Due to months of COVID restrictions, some kindergarteners and first-graders had their first experience with a structured in-person learning program. As a result, students learned how to interact with other children—and adults—outside of their family units. In addition, scholars attended a social-emotional learning (SEL) class every afternoon, taught by two professional school counselors.

Because our site was smaller this summer, staff and volunteers gave extra academic and emotional help to students who needed it; this attention resulted in measurable academic growth. Initial program assessments show that every scholar maintained or increased their reading levels, with many increasing two and three grade levels!