We love a Smarty feel-good story, and we’ve got one for you today. We just got word that Promenade of Charlotte awarded a $10,000 grant to support Freedom School Partners (FSP) for their six-week, summer literacy program, Freedom School, with much needed technology and literacy supplies. The gifted items include: 20 Amazon Fire Tablets with cases, screen protectors and chargers; 10 mobile libraries with 80 books, easily accessible to move to and from classrooms and sites; two desks; five,10-packs of folding chairs; six large tables; two office chairs; and four rolling shelving units to use at FSP’s satellite office and storage facility.
The items are dispersed across 18 Freedom School locations and benefit scholars (Freedom School students) and Servant Leader Interns (SLIs), college interns who teach, mentor and support Freedom School students in the classroom.
Promenade is a non-profit that has been providing dance, etiquette and life skills classes for middle and high school students in Charlotte for 65 years.
Executive Director of Promenade of Charlotte, Elizabeth Jones, said “Freedom School Partners was chosen for this grant because they met our criteria– FSP serves the same age group as Promenade and is a local agency. Promenade likes to make a tangible gift to complement what FSP is already doing in the community in making a difference in children’s lives.”
Promenade of Charlotte gives a grant to a local agency every few years through their board members’ nominations. Past grantees include Christ Episcopal Church and The Relatives.
Freedom School tells us that this summer, every SLI at The Grove Presbyterian, one of Freedom School’s locations, received a tablet to help maintain a uniform system of positive reinforcement. Asael Salinas, a rising Junior at Duke University double majoring in Public Policy and International Comparative Studies is one of the 150 Servant Leader Interns (SLI) working at Freedom School.
We can’t say enough good things about both of these organizations – they are doing SO MUCH good in our Smarty community.
About Promenade of Charlotte, Inc.
Promenade of Charlotte, Inc. is a nonprofit founded over 60 years ago in Charlotte, N.C. to teach dance and etiquette to middle and high school students. It is run by an executive director and a volunteer board of directors.
About Freedom School Partners
Freedom School Partners is a nonprofit organization which promotes the long-term success of children by preventing summer learning loss through igniting a passion for reading and inspiring a love of learning.
