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Mount Vernon Program Seeks Donations To Help Kids

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – The Grace Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools in Mount Vernon is seeking benefactors to help it continue programs that help hundreds of city residents.

Children at the Mount Vernon Grace CDF Freedom School last year.

Children at the Mount Vernon Grace CDF Freedom School last year.

Photo Credit: Greg Maker

The school, which celebrated its 10th year of service in Mount Vernon last year, provides year-round programming to at-risk youth in the community. The program started in 2003 with 50 scholars and five college interns. Last year, it had 600 students and trained 61 college interns to run programs.

Executive Director Lillian Reynolds said the Grace CDF Freedom Schools need community support to have a positive impact on Mount Vernon.

“Our goal is to stop ‘the cradle to the prison pipeline,’ by providing academic and social enrichment which will increase our scholars’ chances of becoming successful adults,” she said. “Research shows that Freedom School decreases summer learning loss and has an overall positive impact on children, youth, families and the community at large.”

Those interested in becoming a "Friend of the Freedom School" can use the attached brochure to make a tax deductible donation of at least $100.

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