Nature and Scope
CDF's mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in
life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. The CDF Freedom
Schools ® program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by the Children's Defense Fund in partnership
with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer
options for children and strengthens family and community involvement.
The mission of CDF Freedom Schools programs is to boost student motivations to read, generate more positive
attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of
their communities. The program serves children in grades kindergarten through twelfth for six to eight weeks. The
activity based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is aligned to the Common Core State Standards,
integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical
awareness. A multi-year assessment of CDF Freedom Schools program sites continuously demonstrates the
effectiveness of the IRC, which has proven to avert children's summer learning loss in reading achievement.
College-age young adults and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools program in
the position of Servant Leader Intern. Each CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern serves as the teacher for
a maximum of 10 scholars. Servant Leader Interns have access to further leadership development and networking
opportunities geared toward continued direct service and advocacy on behalf of children and families.
Responsibilities
? Serve as a positive role model for all scholars.
? Supervise and maintain safety of scholars.
? Maintain a professional decorum.
? Set up, manage and break down classroom space according to standards outlined by CDF and the sponsor
organization.
? Engage a maximum of 10 scholars per class in the Integrated Reading Curriculum.
? Attend all required Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute training sessions.
? Work with site staff to ensure that all program components are implemented with fidelity.
? Report any issues or concerns regarding program operation to the Site Coordinator.
Qualifications
? Must have completed at least one year of college in good academic standing (typical age range is 18-30).
? Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team.
? Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children.
? Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
? Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor.
