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Our Mission
FreedomCuse Partners Inc. empowers Syracuse youth through literacy, leadership, cultural enrichment, community engagement, and transformative relationships. We design student-centered, enriching learning experiences that ignite a lifelong passion for learning, cultivate self-confidence, and equip young people to become active, informed, and engaged members of their communities.
Who We Are
FreedomCuse Partners, Inc. is a Syracuse-based nonprofit organization focused on K–12 summer learning, literacy development, cultural enrichment, and youth leadership through full-fidelity implementation of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® model.
The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools model is more than a summer enrichment program—it is a nationally recognized, evidence-informed approach to K–12 literacy development, youth leadership, and social-emotional learning. Originating from the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer and refined through decades of implementation nationwide, Freedom Schools are designed to prevent summer learning loss while cultivating cultural identity, civic awareness, and academic confidence.
Our Vision
Our vision is educational equity through
partnerships and collaboration.
Goals
• Improved reading skills
• Increased family engagement
• Strengthened youth leadership
• Civic engagement
• Positive impact on whole child development
Our Solution
Literacy
We provide engaging literacy programs that inspire a love for reading among children and teens, ensuring they have the tools needed for academic success and personal growth.
Leadership
Our leadership development initiatives empower youth to become leaders in their communities through hands-on experience, mentorship, and skills training that foster personal and professional growth.
Engagement
Community engagement projects create opportunities for families to get involved in their children's education, promoting support systems and connections within the community.
The Crisis
The Challenge in Syracuse:
• 79% of K–8 students read below grade level
• 56% of high schoolers struggle with literacy
• 45.8% of Syracuse children live in poverty
(2nd highest in the U.S.)
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