Freedom Quest

Named after the late Tony West Gray, a childhood civil rights activist, friend of children, and community resident, the Freedom Quest offers area children a healthy start, a safe start, a fair start, a moral start, and a head start in life with the support of caring parents and a nurturing community. The school runs five weeks in the summer, six hours a day, and offers 40 school-age children lunch and breakfast daily.



Educational & Cultural Enhancement – Children, parents, and staff are exposed to an integrated curriculum in which books, activities, games, and field trips that reflect a wide variety of cultures and experiences, are centered around a yearly theme. This integrated curriculum is used to teach children history, conflict resolution skills, to engage children in community service projects, and to develop a closing ceremony. The Freedom School has a major concentration in the arts offering students opportunities in dance, music, drama, and fine arts.



Parental Involvement – Weekly parent workshops offer opportunities for parental involvement, skills building, and mutual nurturing and support. Workshops also offer a family meal and child care one evening a week. Parents are also encouraged to give one hour of volunteer service each week to support their child’s education.



Intergenerational Leadership – The Freedom Quest is staffed by local teachers and artists and by high school and college students who serve as interns. All staff receive extensive local training in diversity appreciation, conflict management, child protection laws and policies, asset based community development, and the history of the Freedom School Movement.



Community Involvement – Community persons are encouraged to share their experiences, stories, and time with the children and young adults. In addition, volunteers cook meals, chaperone field trips, read books, provide computer instruction, help with set design, and work in community service projects. Partnerships with the following help the students to become active in working toward solutions for the problems facing their communities: Petersburg Public Library, Westview Elementary, Virginia State University, area congregations, and Foster Grandparents.