PFS Operations

PFS Governance and Program Management

The success of the Philadelphia Freedom Schools program has depended on the support and involvement of community organizations and institutions serving all regions of Philadelphia. This federation of organizations, the PFS Advisory Council, works together to insure that Philadelphia Freedom Schools continue to be an available opportunity for Philadelphia children and youth. The federation's mission is to establish and strengthen Philadelphia Freedom Schools by the intentional sharing of key roles and responsibilities including operations, governance, policy making, fundraising development, research and evaluation. The PFS Advisory Council is comprised of both funding agencies and sponsoring organizations with Communities In Schools of Philadelphia as the lead agency and institutional home for the program. Members of the PFS Advisory Council include the Executive Directors or their designee from: Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Department of Human Services, Frankford Family Support Center, Friends Neighborhood Guild, Philadelphia Education Fund, Philadelphia Safe and Sound, Philadelphia Youth Network, Say Yes to Education, School District of Philadelphia (SDP), the United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia and The William Penn Foundation. The PFS Advisory Council convenes at least every other month to strategize program sustainability mechanisms such as cross-organization collaboration, funding, and, publicity. The PFS Advisory Council is Co-Chaired by Communities In Schools' Director of External Initiatives, Sandra Foster, and a rotating member of the Advisory Council (currently, Vicki Ellis, School District of Philadelphia Liaison).

During the monthly Operations Committee Meeting, sponsoring organizations collaborate and strategize program specific objectives for the upcoming year. These meetings provide both new and returning sponsors the opportunity to share the best practices, troubleshoot, and exchange information on a regular basis. Each PFS site is represented on the Operations Committee by the local organizations Site Coordinators and Project Directors. Planning for PFS year round activities is facilitated through five committee workgroups that focus on Training, Social Action, Parent Empowerment, and Servant Leadership.