Local church becomes site for national children's summer program

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Making reading fun is the goal of Children’s Defense Fund Summer Freedom Schools Program.

This summer, 50 students will get the opportunity to increase their love of learning.

Pastor Christopher McKee talked last fall with the Rev. Laura Young, senior organizer at Freedom Schools, about what it would take for Tabernacle Baptist Church on Arlington Street to become a site for the Children’s Defense Fund Summer Freedom Schools Program. The Children’s Defense Fund is a national organization that works to ensure a level playing field for all children.

With help from the community, grants and members of the church, Tabernacle Baptist is sponsoring the program for the first time June 16 through July 25.

The Rev. Ms. Young answered a calling to increase the number of Freedom Schools with the belief that there should be one on every street corner.

Although the main focus of this program is learning, Pastor McKee understands that it is a summer and the program should include fun. Every afternoon there is an activity such as swimming or bowling, and some afternoons include a field trip like visiting the Cleveland Zoo or Kennywood Park.

Some of the fun for the scholars is building relationships with the college students.

Read more about the program in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.