>>> Last addition to the application packet: Urban Rivers Waiver Form <<<

EJ Freedom School Packet 

CONGRATULATIONS! We are excited to welcome you to the Environmental Justice Freedom School! You will attend the EJ Freedom School from June 16, 2025, to June 27, 2025. During the EJ Freedom School, you will learn and collaborate with fellow students about environmental justice on exciting trips to Urban River Wild Mile and a camping trip at Big Marsh Park in the second week, ending with a presentation to city leaders.

You will be compensated $500.00 for the completion of the program and duties!

Location: CTU Center, 1901 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL 60641

Time: 10am – 4pm, arrival between 9am – 10am, with some days leaving on a bus at 8:30 am.

Week 1: June 16, 17, 18, 20 (4 days)

Week 2: June 23, 24, 25 (1/2 day), 26, and 27.

Please let us know if you need Ventra Cards!

EJ Freedom School Packet 

Thank you for all who attended the Welcome Call. If you missed the call, please view the recording here. We spoke about the program, introduced ourselves, and reviewed the required program forms.

A few notes for completing the forms attached:

1. Complete the online MWRD form first: https://mwrd.org/form/facility-waiver-form
   1. Choose option: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. Duration: 2 hours, Calumet WRP, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago
   2. Date of visit: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
2. Application Packet, Attached file:
   1. Download the file and save it with your name in it.
   2. Complete the editable fields. Save it.
   3. Typed out digital signatures are acceptable.
   4. Email by attaching the file to [email protected] by Monday June 9, 2025.
   5. Or print out, scan, and email.

To process your application, return these documents by the close of business on Monday, June 9, 2025. Please send the required documents as a single PDF file. The name of your file and the subject line should read your first and last name, EJ Freedom School. Email the file to Michael Moriarty at [email protected]  or fax to 312-329-6205.

Work duties will include:

1. Students will complete Asset Mapping of their communities and schools to develop a baseline assessment for outreach and organizing.
2. Students will attend two field trips on the Southeast and Southwest sides, meeting with community organization representatives.
3. Staff will teach students to develop organizing and communication skills and tools to be used when approaching peers, staff, and community members in person, via phone and on social media platforms.

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Freedom School is a two-week educational-experiential program offered to high school students in the Chicagoland area to develop local school climate action plans. The EJ Freedom School program will equip participants with the skills and tools to articulate, advocate, and develop climate adaptation and mitigation plans. Each summer, the program educates thirty 9-12 grade youth about the long-term impacts of ecological contamination and provides them with the skills to organize and advocate groups of people for a clean and healthy world for all while prioritizing underserved communities.

Through learning adventures with community environmental advocacy partners about ecological issues and their impact on communities, the students will develop climate and environmental literacy to identify environmental problems, anthropogenic and biological causes of climate change, impacts, and solutions. By creating individual and collective agency, students and teachers identify and develop action-oriented solutions for their school communities. Students will become climate change champions for their school community and local environment through EJ teach-ins inspired by their climate action plans. EJ Freedom School will consist of Chicago Public School educators leading high school students through a carefully curated series of activities to learn about the health of Chicago’s air and water quality alongside leading environmental advocacy groups.

EJ Freedom School Goals:

1. During the EJ Freedom School, students and teachers will develop climate and environmental literacy to identify environmental issues, anthropogenic and biological causes of climate change, impacts, and solutions.
2. Students will develop social and emotional intelligence and skills to process feelings about climate change and reflecting, collaborating, negotiating, and organizing towards climate action.
3. Students will identify and develop individual and collective agency to address individual and collective climate impact of air and water pollution in underserved communities.
4. Students will advance skills and practices to identify and develop action-oriented solutions, climate change mitigation and adaptation plans.
5. Students will develop skills to disseminate information and school climate action plans to school district, various stakeholders, and the public.
   

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Reimagining Freedom Schools for the 21st Century

EJ Freedom School Partners