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| Chicago Freedom School E-News |
APRIL
2008
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well. The wind is at our backs here at CFS and we are excited to share news about all the great work that is happening thanks to your support.
We are thrilled to welcome the new CFS youth organizer, Hilda Franco! Hilda started at the end of March and has already created exciting new projects and partnerships. See below for more about Hilda.
This month we send well wishes to three outgoing board members, Wendy Vendel, Adaku Utah and Kristiana Zerom. Wendy, Adaku and Kristiana were all founding steering committee members of CFS and their presence on the Board will be missed. But I am actually excited about their new roles in life and at the Freedom School. Even though Wendy is a new mom, Adaku is going to graduate school and Kristiana is starting her own business, all three of these amazing women have agreed to stay on as regular volunteers at CFS. We are so fortunate to benefit from their many talents and their extraordinary dedication.
CFS continues to speak and respond to the growing community of youth activists and adult allies in Chicago. Read on for information about upcoming workshops and events that examine historical movements and how they relate to issues today.
Happy Spring to you all and, as always, thank you for helping CFS empower youth across the city.
In peace and solidarity,
Mia Henry
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Welcome, Hilda!
CFS is thrilled to have HILDA FRANCO on staff as our new Youth Organizer. Born and raised on the southside of Chicago, Hilda is a graduate of Benito Juarez High School. As a Posse Scholar, Hilda received a full tuition scholarship to Carleton College, where she received a B.A. in History.
An advocate of accessibility to quality education, Hilda also carries a strong passion for the arts. At the age of 18, Hilda became a teaching artist for the Goodman Theatre youth summer program. After teaching with the Goodman for five years, she developed a critical pedagogy that uses theatre to empower youth. Since then, Hilda has developed and taught an interdisciplinary Theatre, Literature, and Arts program at Social Justice High School and worked as a program coordinator for Options For Youth, teaching comprehensive sex education for pregnant/mothering teens.
Hilda has already hit the ground
running at CFS, reaching out and visiting schools and organizations across the
city as we prepare for an exciting summer. We are incredibly
happy to have Hilda as a part of the CFS family.
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MORE UPCOMING EVENTS
Youth and Adults are Welcome!
COMMUNIVERSITY:
Labor Movements and Immigration
Saturday, May 17,
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
This interactive workshop will feature activities that challenge participants to define citizenship and place this definition in the context of labor rights and labor movements around the world. The day will also explore how labor movements, emigration and immigration are related and how this relationship plays out here in Chicago.
THE FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT:
Women, Voting, and Elections in America
Wednesday, May 21
6 - 8:30 pm
Hull House Museum
This evening will feature excerpts from the movie "One Woman, One Voice" followed by a panel and a group discussion exploring 1) how women won the right the vote 2) the key players and the claims they made 3) how women have used their right to vote since the 1920s and 4) women's current voting patterns and the implications for the 2008 elections.
African American Suffrage: Historical Struggle and Current Patterns
Wednesday, June 18
6 - 8:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center
Join us as we examine the struggle for African Americans to claim and access their right to vote in the U.S. We will also discuss current voting patterns of African Americans and what this means for the 2008 elections. This program will feature a film screening of "Mississippi, America" and a discussion led by esteemed panelists.
For more information or to RSVP, call 312.435.1201 or email: rsvp@chicagofreedomschool.org
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CELEBRATE
CAMPAIGN TRAILBLAZERS!
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM
Thursday, April 24
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Film Screening: "Shirley Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed"
followed by a discussion with youth and adults
The first African-American woman elected to Congress and the first black person and woman to run a serious, high-profile campaign in the U.S. presidential primary
HARVEY MILK
Thursday, May 8
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Film Screening: "The Times of Harvey Milk" followed by a discussion with youth and adults
The first openly gay member of San Francisco's city council; ran a successful grassroots campaign, but his term in office comes to a tragic end
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Freedom Fellow Spotlight:
Staci Morris
Staci Morris is a sophomore at Young Women's Leadership Charter School. As a 2007 Freedom Fellow, Staci participated in the performing arts and music courses where she studied Afro-Caribbean drumming and dance and performed in scenes from several plays. She is currently planning an Open Mic at her school where she will invite performers who have created pieces that address the increased acts of violence in the streets of Chicago. This June, Staci will take on a leadership role at CFS by working as a coordinator in the 2008 Freedom Fellows Summer Institute. Staci wants to pursue a career in law and eventually become a judge.
"I like the Freedom School because it gets me thinking more deeply about society today. It helps me think not just about what I don't like about the world, but why I don't like it and what I can do about it. CFS is inspring."
CFS is proud Staci and her committment to improving her community through the performing arts.
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VOLUNTEERS ROCK!
Meet Jodi Henderson, CFS Cool Librarian
For the past six months, Jodi Henderson has volunteered on a regular basis for CFS as our librarian/media specialist. With a background in cultural studies, Jodi has strong
interest in emerging educational technologies and a passion for research & information management. She is excited to bring her perspectives on information literacy, alternative histories, and
intercultural awareness to serve the social justice and
collaborative missions of the Chicago Freedom School. Her contributions as both the librarian and a member of the research, evaluation and archive committee have been invaluable. We thank Jodi for all of her incredible work as a volunteer for CFS.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Chicago Freedom School, please email volunteer@chicagofreedomschool.org.
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Support the Chicago Freedom School
Join us this spring for one of the FUNdraisers hosted by members of the fantastic CFS Board of Directors.
THURSDAY, MAY 8 - COMEDY SHOW fundraiser for CFS at The Comic Vault, 1530 W. Montrose. 9 pm. Suggested donation is $10.
SUNDAY, JUNE 8 - FREEDOM FELLOWS BENEFIT LUNCHEON at Amelia's Italian Restaurant, 1235 W. Grand Ave. Donation of $25 includes great food and entertainment. Buy tickets online here.
If you are unable to attend any of these events, please consider the Chicago Freedom School as one of your priorities for charitable giving.
You may donate online now or mail in your contribution. Please see our CONTRIBUTE page for more details. Your contributions are fully tax deductible under the internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) code.
Thank you for your support!
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NOTICES
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Freedom Fellowship Application Deadline Extended! The deadline for youth applications for the 2008 Freedom Fellowship has been extended to Friday, May 2. Youth ages 14 - 16 are eligible to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. See our website for an application.
School's IN for Summer! In July and August, CFS will host FIVE public programs celebrating the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement right here in Chicago. We will partner with organizations such as the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, the Youth Pride Center, Access Living and El VEJO for a historical tour of activism across the city. More details to come.
JOIN CFS on FACEBOOK If you are on Facebook, join the Chicago Freedom School group and stay updated on all current and upcoming events and opportunities. |
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OUR MISSION
The
Chicago Freedom School provides a space where young people and adult
allies can exchange ideas, build new coalitions, study the work of past
movements and deepen their understanding of current social problems.
We support new generations of critical and independent thinking young
people who use their unique experiences and power to create a just
world.
La
Escuela de Libertad de Chicago provee un espacio donde jovenes y
adultos aliad@s pueden intercambiar ideas, construir nuevos
coaliciones, estudiar el trabajo de movimientos pasados y profundizar
su comprension de actuales problemas sociales. Apoyamos nuevas
generaciones de jovenes criticos que piensan independientamente y que
usen sus experiencias unicas y poder para crear un mundo justo. |
CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL
719 S. State St
Suite 3N
Chicago, IL 60605
phone: 312.435.1201
fax: 312.435.1203
info@chicagofreedomschool.org
www.chicagofreedomschool.org
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