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As the Oklahoma City Thunder tip off another exciting season, Freedom City is joining fans across the country in cheering on our hometown team. Our After-School students showed their Thunder spirit by coloring team-themed pages and creating a special video to wish the team good luck this season! But our connection to the Thunder goes beyond cheering from the sidelines. Through the Thunder’s Community Partner Program, some of our students and families had the opportunity to at

More than just better test scores. Real progress. Greater confidence. A love for learning. This year, Freedom City's Tutoring Program reached students across multiple sites, providing small-group, math-focused support designed to build skills, boost confidence, and help students succeed in and out of the classroom. Using a combination of IXL, math fact games, worksheets, and individualized instruction, our staff met students where they were, with the right tools, the right su

After two years at Freedom City, Site Coordinator Gabrielle Reyes (known to students as Ms. Gabby) has learned that some of the most meaningful moments happen outside of a lesson or planned activity. Sometimes they happen while walking down the hall, sharing a laugh during a game, or receiving an unexpected hug from a student. As Site Coordinator, Gabby gets to support students in different ways, from teaching in the classroom and overseeing programs to joining in on dance pa

When students struggle with math, it can affect more than their grades. They may hesitate to raise their hands, worry about getting the answer wrong, or begin to believe they simply aren't good at math. At F.D. Moon Middle School, fifth-grade math teacher Talia Jones sees how that uncertainty can affect students in the classroom. She also sees what can happen when students have consistent support, opportunities to practice, and people who believe in their ability to succeed.

A good partnership isn't just about what one organization can give another. It's about asking, "What do you need?" and then finding a way to help. That's what makes our partnership with Feed the Children so meaningful. Feed the Children works alongside communities, local organizations, school districts, donors, and volunteers to help children and families access food, everyday essentials, and opportunities so every child can survive and thrive. Through its Partner Market prog

What comes after high school? For many students, answering that question starts with simply knowing what is possible. This summer, Freedom City’s College & Career Readiness Program gave students opportunities to explore those possibilities, connect their interests to real careers, and begin thinking about the steps they can take toward their futures. With funding from the NBA Foundation, Freedom City expanded our College & Career Readiness programming to reach 41 unique stude

For siblings Mahki and Maleeha Smith, Freedom City is a place to learn, play, and have fun together. Mahki, a second grader, especially enjoys spending time in the gym. Whether he's playing during the afternoon or participating in activities, being able to have fun and be active is one of his favorite parts of coming to Freedom City. Maleeha, a first grader, has a different favorite: the snacks and dinner. But both siblings agree on one thing...Freedom City is a place where t

For MaKenna Bormann, working at Freedom City is about more than helping students through their afternoon. It’s about the relationships she has built along the way. MaKenna is in her second year at Freedom City as an After-School Program teacher. She is also a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, where she is involved in a sorority. When she isn’t working or studying, MaKenna enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading her Bible, and going on walks with

Summer should be a time for kids to have fun—but that doesn't mean learning has to stop. This summer, approximately 50 students from communities across the Oklahoma City metro area—including Edmond, Piedmont, Midwest City, Oklahoma City, and Norman—joined Freedom City's Summer Learning Program. For the first time, the program reached capacity, filling every available spot with students ready to learn, explore, and make memories together. Our Summer Learning Program is designe

Strong partnerships create stronger outcomes for students. That's exactly why Freedom City and KIPP OKC College Prep have worked side by side to support children and families in North Oklahoma City. For Ashley Randle, District Director of Operations at KIPP OKC College Prep, partnering with Freedom City was a natural fit. "Freedom City already works with so many of the KIPP OKC families that a partnership made sense and was a seamless transition," Ashley shared. Because Freed

For Fred Berry, volunteering is about one thing: helping kids. After spending 36 years working as a business administrator, Fred retired and began looking for ways to give back to the young people in his community. For the past three years, he has volunteered with Freedom City's After-School Program, where he works directly with students on their academic skills and encourages them along the way. His commitment to young people extends well beyond Freedom City. Fred has served

When Siesha Reeves' son, Maverick, started kindergarten, she faced a challenge familiar to many working parents. "My child had never been away from me or my family until he got to kindergarten," she shared. "It was a very hard transition for both of us." Like many young children, Maverick was nervous about spending even more time away from home after the school day ended. He was quiet, reserved, and unsure about joining an after-school program with people he didn't know. That

Some students take a little convincing to come to an after-school program. Benjamin Martin is one of them. "I sometimes act like I don't like it," he admitted with a big smile and a laugh. "But I always enjoy myself." Once he's at Freedom City, there's no question he'd rather be here than anywhere else. Whether it's Fun Fridays, spending time with friends, or learning something new in math, Benjamin has found a place where he can have fun while continuing to grow. Math is his

When you ask Judy what she enjoys most about Freedom City, her answer isn't about programs or numbers; it's about the children. "The children and parents bring me immense joy and keep me going. I love seeing the confidence and academic growth in each child." Whether she's celebrating a student's successful math test, hearing a parent share how much their family loves Freedom City, or watching students model the positive behaviors they've learned, Judy finds that these everyda