Apply for the 2023 Freedom Fellowship
The Chicago Freedom School is rooted in the legacies of justice and liberation, transformative justice, and healing justice. We trust, believe and support youth with the power to lead and take back our city.
The Freedom Fellowship is a paid 6-month experience that will bring you and 25 NEW YOUTH ORGANIZERS from across the city to explore issues of injustice, gain skills in grassroots leadership, and receive training on community organizing to create positive change in your school/community.
The Fellowship starts with the Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) which runs July 10-August 4, 2023. Each week you will gather with other Fellows to build bonds of solidarity, learn alongside seasoned organizers from across the city, and create space to explore your radical imagination. You will receive interactive and engaging training on grassroots organizing, city politics, wellness seminars, anti-oppression workshops, and community-building.
Then, from September to December, the Fellows split into two cohorts for Organizing and Strategy Training Sessions which take place bi-weekly and once per month on Saturdays. You will to continue exploring social justice issues as well as create and implement actions in one of two campaigns.
POLICE FREE SCHOOLS--
Youth-led effort to remove the Chicago Police Department from Chicago Public Schools and invest in student needs/concerns.
THE FINAL 5 CAMPAIGN--
A statewide intergenerational campaign to close the last 5 youth prisons in Illinois.
For each campaign, cohort teams will research and identify strategies that address injustices impacting young people. Actions/tactics taken by organizers may include but are not limited to curating art shows, developing digital organizing campaigns, plan direct actions, and more