Chelsea entered the CDF Freedom Schools Summer Program shy and unsure about the environment. She was tentative about participating in activities, especially those involving high energy, such as Harambee. She tended to be soft-spoken or completely silent during group discussions. It was clear our culture extended beyond her comfort zone, and she intended to stay well within the bounds of comfort. However, as our team built a relationship, she slowly began to ease out of her shell. She became more talkative amongst other scholars at her level, jumped at the opportunity to lead our cheers and chants, and even agreed to be one of two MCs at our program’s grand finale. Afterward, Chelsea’s mom commended us for creating an environment where her daughter could feel comfortable using her voice. She said there aren’t many places where Chelsea shined in the way she did during our program, and she felt pleased seeing her take the initiative to be a leader. We are proud to have made an impact on her life.*

We could not reach scholars like Chelsea without your support. We are grateful to call you a village member of the FFSC! Stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook and Instagram @ffscollab.

*This is a true story that utilizes an alias to protect the privacy of our FFSC family.