Frida Community Organization in D45

In January 2023, District 45 was awarded a Frida Community Organization grant for Schafer Elementary and Jefferson Middle School. The grant will be implemented over five years, beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

The Frida Community Organization, a nonprofit that serves as an agent of change in people’s lives and works to develop strong, thriving neighborhoods, strives to provide access to services and resources that improve quality of life and increase public participation in the Latino community. Through a multi-pronged approach, the organization addresses key issues for the Latino community, including immigration, education, health and leadership development.

FCO concentrates on:

• Integrated student support at a community school that provides in- and out-of-school support for students, addresses well-being, and addresses out-of-school barriers to learning through partnerships with social and health service agencies, including mental and behavioral health agencies and providers, and coordinated by a full-time community school coordinator.
• Expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities through evidence-based strategies, including before-school, after-school, during-school, weekend, and summer programs that provide additional academic instruction, individualized academic support, enrichment activities, or learning opportunities.
• Active family and community engagement
• Collaborative leadership and practices that build a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility.