In 2023 Ujima Friends Peace Center’s Freedom School Summer began its sixth year of a six week summer program for middle school youth. It is also the third year that the youth recreational program was 100% outdoors.
The program is designed to allow neighborhood children to explore “friendly spaces” while engaging in activities that are good for the mind, body, and spirit. Our freedom summer program emphasized an Africana social justice literacy curriculum, mental and emotional wellness, conflict transformation, and care for the environment. This year’s program built on last two years of success and was better than ever.
The program consists of about 40 middle school students (called emerging servant leaders), four high school servant leaders, and three college interns guided by two fantastic young educators and community activists. We continued our partnerships with the Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground community and Abington Friends Meeting.
Once a week we were hosted by one of an array of groups and organizations, many of whom were Quaker. They hosts included Taylor Wildlife Reserve, George School, Salem Meeting, Solebury Meeting, One Art, Rock Hiking, Neshaminy Park, and Long Beach.
The program is designed and led by Dr. Mama Ayesha Imani, who has volunteered countless hour to the Peace Center over the years. We have so much to share and our children need green spaces in their lives.