More than 125 CDF Freedom Schools® scholars will participate in the event as part of the organization’s National Day of Social Action, a nationwide initiative that equips young people to engage in social and civic activism.
Media Contact: Ryan Bell, CDF-CA Education Equity Policy Associate and CDF Freedom Schools Alumni, 213-225-8506 (on-site); Glauz Diego, Community Coalition Senior Director of Programs, (323) 216-7409 (on-site contact); John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
LOS ANGELES, CA—On Wednesday, July 23, more than 125 young people will gather alongside Children’s Defense Fund-California at the SEED School of Los Angeles County, in South Los Angeles, for a youth-led arts celebration advocating the belief that public education be treated as a public good in America.
Local CDF Freedom Schools scholars, alongside muralist Kristy Sandoval, will showcase their original artwork in a gallery walk that explores the question, “What does your ideal public school look like?” The event will also feature student artwork and interactive, art-based activities centered on the importance of public education, particularly during this critical time in Los Angeles. Youth from five CDF Freedom Schools sites across Los Angeles will contribute their creativity and perspectives through these installations.
This event comes in the wake of recent efforts by federal officials and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE provides essential services to more than 50 million children across the nation, including Southern California. In April, ABC7 reported that Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho warned cutting funding to DOE could cause “catastrophic harm” to local children who depend on its services, particularly those from low-income families or with disabilities.
Wednesday’s event at SEED LA is part of CDF Freedom Schools’ larger National Day of Social Action (NDSA), which encourages young people to engage in displays of social and civic activism. Every summer, young people participating in the CDF Freedom Schools program receive culturally relevant literacy education to avoid summer learning loss at organizational partner sites based in schools, churches, and various community centers. Scholars from CDF Freedom Schools sites at Community Coalition, Success in Challenges, Girls Club of Los Angeles, Crossroads School Equity and Justice, and Partnership for Growth Los Angeles will be present at Wednesday’s event. More than 1,000 scholars will take part in other NDSA events across the state of California.
“Public education is a public good and it should be our duty to protect and promote it in America, not diminish it,” said Children’s Defense Fund-California State Director Jaren Sorkow. “We must invest in our schools, support our teachers, and ensure every child has access to the quality education they deserve because when we harm education, we harm our future. The National Day of Social Action provides a great opportunity for us to center the voices of children and young people in this discussion and empower them to lead the charge in advocating for an education system that truly serves their needs.”
Click this link to see what it was like last year when CDF Freedom Schools scholars participated in National Day of Social Action events in Los Angeles and Sacramento.