Park Avenue Youth & Family Services

Freedom School is coming in June 2012!

Literacy is the key to success in school and life. Yet, in our own Central Neighborhood, 85% of 8th graders are unable to meet state reading standards.

Not only is this statistic alarming, it is unacceptable. At PAYFS, we are doing something about it. In summer 2012, we are launching the Southside's only Children's Defense Fund Freedom School---a comprehensive, multicultural literacy program that is proven to boost academic performance and close the achievement gap.

The five essential components of Freedom School are:

1. high quality academic enrichment;

2. parent and family involvement;

3. civic engagement and social action;

4. intergenerational leadership development; and

5. nutrition, health and mental health.

Be A Book Sponsor and Support Freedom School!

Books--for our on-site library, for classroom lessons and recreational reading, for guest readers and for children to take home to their families--form the backbone of Freedom School.

The Children's Defense Fund's research-based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC) engages children in books and activities that celebrate a wide variety of cultures and focus on the theme, "I Can Make a Difference: in Myself, My Family, Community, Country and World..." The IRC includes 80 different titles with subject matter appropriate for children ages 5 to 18.

The book costs are $90 per child. This means that we need to raise $4,500 by May 15th to meet our goal!

Become a book sponsor today! Your gift will change a child's life!

To learn more about Freedom School, check out:

http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs-campaigns/freedom-schools/

History & Mission

Park Avenue Youth and Family Services (PAYFS)was established in 1985 by members of Park Avenue United Methodist Church to address the needs of children and families in our neighborhood.

Our new mission, adopted in early 2011 is to empower residents of the Central neighborhood area of south Minneapolis to eliminate disparities in health & quality of life stemming from racism & poverty.