Lincoln Program Spotlight: Oakland Freedom Schools Spotlight (OFS) Part 2

Lincoln Program Spotlight

Divine Copeland

Oakland Freedom Schools (OFS)
Assistant Site Coordinator

This is the last of a two-part series featuring Lincoln OFS staff.

I have worked with Lincoln for three years as a West Oakland Initiative Case Manager and School Engagement Coach, as well as an Assistant Site Coordinator for Oakland Freedom Schools, which is rewarding work to support literacy as well as to celebrate black culture.

One reason Freedom Schools is so beautiful is that while it’s about literacy, it’s also about connection, celebrating who you are, and feeling pride for your community and culture. Every morning through Harambee we pull together as a community and celebrate each other. A typical OFS summer would have physical activities built into the program, but during this virtual model we are trying to get the scholars to use the OFS YouTube channel that has pre-recorded physical activities. We hope to keep them active and get moving throughout the day. Our kids are just getting way too much computer time during this lockdown, so now more than ever we are trying to keep them energized and healthy.

Everything being virtual can be nerve wracking. Every moment is a learning moment, and so much emotion and tone can be lost through emails or chats that in person would be clearly understood. Since social emotional learning is such a huge part of OFS, it can be hard to develop those connections with new students via virtual sessions. Many families that come to OFS have either been in the program before or were a part of WOI, so it’s easier to maintain and build on the connections. But with the newer clients, it can be much more difficult. This summer’s program is a constant learning moment for the students as well as the staff.

It was important to start this summer by checking in on the scholars, asking what they have been up to, how they have been handling the shutdown of schools, sports, and their regular activities. I found out right away that some of the guys had gotten into trouble - had resorted to bad decisions based on the boredom of the lockdown. Some of these guys just weren’t sure what to do with themselves in these difficult times, and I can understand what they are doing and how they feel. I am a product of my own environment and can relate to some of the negative action being displayed by our scholars. I grew up the way they did, so I understand that some kids just want to get out of the house, while others just want to stay inside and play video games all day. I use what they are into to get them interested in reading; I ask ‘hey what are you guys reading right now?’ and then I try to make reading suggestions that match up with what they like to do.

OFS is about 40/60 ratio of boys to girls in terms of scholars, but for staff we are mostly female. So my role is very important with some of these smart young men. I made a lot of the same mistakes that they did and I get where they are coming from. When I was younger, getting to the NFL was my main goal, and the primary focus for my future. My life was changed by a mentor of mine, the Director of the Multicultural Center from Wayne State, who got me into working with kids. He helped me to see how I could impact kids in a positive way through education. My mentor taught me to be myself, to listen and to always be real. I treat our scholars as equals, I show them love, and I teach them to be accountable for everything they do. I do the same for my twin boys. There is no guide to being a parent- but because of strong, loving mentors that I have had (including my Nana and my HS Football Coach), I am able to balance being a father of two while also being a dedicated OFS team member. The values that my mentors taught me are what I bring to the OFS scholars every day.