Semaj’s Story

When Semaj came to Freedom Hall as a seventh-grader, he stood out as a young man with tremendous potential but overwhelming stress in his personal world, because of the father who was missing in his life.

With the caring guidance of the dedicated mentors at STS, Semaj became more self-confident and quickly improved from a D student to earning solid Bs in eighth grade, even though he had to ride the city bus an hour each way to get to Freedom Hall!

Semaj grew in character too. When his mom mentioned that he was interested in being baptized, STS staff counseled him on this decision, and Semaj was baptized in a staff member’s pool as over 60 friends and mentors from STS looked on and celebrated.

Semaj’s story is just one of the many we see unfolding in our journey with urban fatherless young men. With your help, even more lives can change!

Freedom Hall

Freedom Hall is a free, youth development program located on the campus of Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy (MLK). It is designed to equip urban fatherless young men to live a life free of drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse, pre-marital sex and other influences that lead to limiting their future choices.

We seek to affirm, accept and love our young men and encourage them down the path of righteousness.  We do this in partnership with their single moms and with the help of staff and teachers at MLK and with assistance of mentors and tutors from area businesses and churches.

The program serves fatherless boys by providing life skills training, tutoring, mentoring, field trips, service-learning, and other enrichment activities to develop character, promote healthy lifestyles, improve academic performance, and enhance life skills.

The program is led by 7 staff on site five days per week for advocacy and support to participating youth, and their mother.  Tutoring and mentoring is offered four days per week, 2 1/2 hours per day, by our staff and 30 volunteers.

Freedom Hall at MLK is also open to the boys during school hours for drop-in support, conflict resolution or to address other needs that arise. Staff meet with teachers, school officials and parents to monitor participant progress, problem-solve and develop action plans to address student issues as part of our advocacy efforts.

With recent financial support received, STS is expanding its Freedom Hall program at Grant High School in 2011.

Quotes about STS:

“I don’t know what you’re doing with my son, but keep it up as he helps out around the house and he’s respecting me and his siblings much more.” – Grateful mom’s

“I love (STS) because it has improved my school tremendously, especially my boys—their behavior and their performance. I have had boys who have gone from 1.0 GPA to 3.0, so it has made a powerful difference.” – Principal Sam Harris