VISION: Freedom School for every child who needs one

MISSION: Engage, educate and empower children to succeed in school and in life through
quality, year-round educational enrichment programs

GOAL: Serve 5,000 children by 2016

HISTORY: Founded in November of 1999 by Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, Freedom School Partners (formerly Seigle Avenue Partners) is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides quality afterschool and summer Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs, along with parent education, for students grade K – 8 and their families living in Charlotte's inner-city neighborhoods.

From 2000 through 2003, Freedom School Partners (FSP) received significant start-up funding from the Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) Building Youth Initiative and Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church. Often cited by FFTC as a model for Out- of-School Time programs, FSP has since established a broad base of financial and volunteer support.

In 2004, Freedom School Partners was selected by the Children’s Defense Fund to join community organizations around the country and serve as a local sponsor for CDF’s six-week, literacy-rich summer programs called Freedom Schools.  That year, in addition to maintaining its successful afterschool programming for 75 youth, FSP launched its first CDF Freedom Schools® program for 100 students.

After a successful incubation period, FSP expanded in partnership with First Presbyterian Church for a second site in 2006.  The following year, the organization added sites at Myers Park United Methodist and Highland Renaissance Academy (in partnership with Covenant Presbyterian and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools).  In 2008, FSP grew from four to six locations, adding Avondale Presbyterian Church and Billingsville Elementary School (in partnership with Myers Park Presbyterian Church).

In summer 2009, the addition of Johnson C. Smith University, A Child’s Place (serving homeless children), and Christ Lutheran Church brought the total to nine Freedom Schools serving over 500 students. Given the enthusiasm with which the CDF Freedom Schools® program was embraced in our community and to more accurately reflect its mission, the organization changed its name to “Freedom School Partners” in the fall of 2009, coinciding with its 10-year anniversary. In 2010, FSP welcomed UNC Charlotte and Hickory Grove Presbyterian Sites extending to new areas of reach for the organization.

THE FUTURE: FSP plans to continue expanding the Freedom Schools program to benefit children and strengthen the community of supporters for children and their educational success.