What difference can one person really make?
That’s the question at the heart of Freedom School each summer at St. Luke’s. And the answer, over and over again, is more than you think.
Freedom School is filled with moments that may seem small at fist:
· Greeting a child by name
· Helping serve breakfast
· Reading alongside a student
· Encouraging a child who’s struggling
· Cheering during Harambee each morning
But together, those moments become something powerful.
Children grow in confidence. Students feel seen and reported. Relationships form across generations. And young people are reminded that they belong to a community that believes in them.
One of our Freedom School volunteers put it perfectly: “You don’t have to do it all. You can help do something.”
That spirit is what makes Freedom School possible.
For many of our students, Freedom School is more than a summer program. It’s a place where they are celebrated, encouraged, and surrounded by adults who genuinely care about their future.
As another volunteer shares: “You hope you’re depositing an idea that they belong here, too.”
And that’s exactly what volunteers do every summer. They help create a space where children know they matter.
That beautiful thing is that there’s no single way to help. Some volunteers serve in classrooms. Others support meals, activities, transitions, or simply offer consistency and encouragement throughout the day.
Every role matters.
Freedom school truly is an intergenerational community, people of all ages coming together to invest in children and in the future we hope to build together.
Volunteers don’t just support students, they also help encourage and support the young adults leading classrooms each day. Freedom school gives these young leaders the opportunity to grow in confidence, leadership, mentorship, and purpose as they invest in the next generation.
It’s a community in every sense of the word.
If you’ve been wondering whether you could be part of it this summer, this is your invitation.
On Sunday, May 31, we’ll be hosting an IRC Classroom Volunteer Training for anyone interested in learning more about serving with Freedom School. Whether you’re ready to volunteer or simply curious about what it looks like, we’d love for you to come explore how you can be part of this work.
And before you decide, we’d encourage you to hear directly from the people who have experienced Freedom School firsthand. Their stories capture the joy, purpose, and impact of this ministry far better than words on a page ever could.
Watch the video below to learn more!
St. Luke's Freedom School