April 2023 Newsletter

In the News

Freedom House releases its 2022 Impact Report?

Freedom House released its 2022 impact report highlighting its work to build economic, racial, and social equity in our communities through education and leadership development. Read More.

Freedom House hosts spring fundraiser

On May 10, Freedom House will host?The Art of Community. This art show will feature one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork created by acclaimed artist?Nneka Jones; and will be hosted by celebrated community leader?Jonathan Allen.?Funds raised will support Freedom House's holistic and youth development-centered programming and services. Get Tickets.

Scholar Story

Meet Jayana!

Jayana is currently a student at Milton High School and has a passion for art! As part of our Summer Learning Institute, she was excited to explore that passion through a scholar field trip to MassArt and a showcase presentation?of her artwork. Read More.

What's Happening at the House?

Freedom House honors Women's History Month with a special Road-to-Success Roundtable

This month, Freedom House hosted a?Road-to-Success Roundtable?with seven incredible female-identifying professionals from Chief, a private executive leadership network for women, for our scholars and alumni. The panelists discussed their work experiences and advice on how to map a career pathway. They also shared rich insights on showing up as your authentic self and how they navigate mental wellness.

Freedom House Board of Directors host Crossroads?C5 Career Exploration Day 2023

Freedom House staff and Andrew Sobers (Board Chai), Charles Ocitti (Treasurer), and Susan O'Connor (Finance and Audit Chair) hosted students from the Crossroads C5 Leaders program for community engagement programming, professional presentations, and a leadership roundtable.

Freedom House hosts Boston Day and Evening Academy interns for Spring 2023 semester

Freedom House has partnered with Boston Day and Evening Academy to host five students for an internship focused on leadership development.

Our Summer Learning Institute 2023 application is now open!

This year's program will offer students opportunities for?youth employment,?leadership building; summer school and free college classes; skills workshops, civic engagement projects; mental health services; and professional networking. You can learn?more about the program and how to apply?here.

CEO Corner

Springing Forward!

"When I fight about what is going on in the neighborhood, or when I fight about what is happening to other people's children, I'm doing that because I want to leave a community and a world that is better than the one I found."?

- Marian Wright Endelman

As April arrives, we step into a new change of season, and I want to encourage us to pause and take some time to breathe and exhale. It is also important to pause and see the fruit of labor planted at the beginning of 2023. I know this statement may be controversial for many leaders, but if we have not learned anything from the past three years, I dare ask, 'Have we been paying attention?"

The past several months have been screaming for us to pay attention to our mind, body, and soul. The month of March has shown us some unpredictable tragedies. It has also shown us how complex the world that we live in can be. We feel the weight of our professional and personal struggles, making it difficult to share our perspectives without emotions. There is so much to reflect on and process. We have spoken so much about self-care that it has become a cliché and lost in true intention. We witness each day how the world mourns; we see the world amid chaos and confusion. We hear each day about wars and the men, women, and children affected by the atrocities of war. I know you may say, "This does not affect me," but the reality is that it "affects everyone!" We can turn off the television and log out of social media platforms, but we cannot turn off the emotions surrounding our daily lives.

I want to challenge us in this season of change. Begin a new routine and commit to following it. Find an accountability partner. Commit to not doing business as usual. Show up for yourself more, and face the fears limiting your growth and impacting your health. Restore the beauty that we know still exists in our world by choosing one thing that will make an impact. Don't overthink it!

My spirit is full of joy when I walk into our community space and see the diversity of young men and women laughing and learning. I am happy to do my part in improving their world.

Every choice we make, conversation, and the idea that emerges from our dreams is worth our attention and investment. So keep tending the seeds of your labor and loving your life's work!

Join our Giving Societies

Your support enables us to provide holistic and youth development-centered programming and services which enable underrepresented students to overcome barriers to college completion through a combination of intensive coaching, social/emotional development, identity building, community service, jobs, college preparation, and career exploration. Give Today.

Calling All Freedom House Alumni!

To all our Freedom House Alumni, you’re invited to connect with us! We would love to share your story with the wider Freedom House community. Whether you want to join our long list of engaged alumni, be a part of volunteering to support young Freedom House scholars through their journeys, or just connect with Freedom House, sign up here!