Empowering Youth Through History: EEYP's Freedom Tour Promotes Education and Racial Justice
The Expose Excellence Youth Program (EEYP), a youth advocacy group based in Fort Bend County, is set to host another installment of their Freedom Tour in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Houston. This immersive journey through key locations linked to the civil rights movement offers a unique educational opportunity for students between the ages of 10 and 17.
The EEYP is known for establishing strong communication lines with school administrations, churches, and local community leaders. With a core mission to foster regular school attendance and a positive perspective on education's importance, the organization has made a significant impact on youth development. The EEYP works with school counselors, churches, community organizations, and legal guardians to identify students who would benefit from their program.
One of the EEYP's key initiatives is the upcoming Freedom Tour. Participants will have the opportunity to visit museums, memorials, and historical landmarks critical to the Civil Rights movement in the South. Stops include Atlanta, Georgia, Montgomery, Selma, Tuskegee, Birmingham in Alabama, Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Participating students at the EEYP Freedom Tour in the summer of 2023. (Source: EEYP)The tour isn't just about sightseeing. After each day spent exploring these historical sites, students will partake in small reflection groups, sharing their thoughts and feelings on their experiences. Facilitated by adult chaperones, these sessions create a safe environment for expressions and dialogue.
EEYP aims to give students a profound connection to the history they've witnessed and engages them to respond to the current calls for racial justice. The program's structure ensures that students are involved in challenging, educational, and value-driven growth sessions, encouraging them to express their thoughts on the tour.
Applications for the tour, which runs from July 7th to July 12th, are open to rising tenth grade students to graduating seniors until April 30th. If students require financial assistance, support is available upon request. The selection process is handled by Expose Excellence and YMCA Houston, ensuring a diverse representation of students from different backgrounds.
This tour is a part of EEYP's larger mandate to ensure youth have the skills, knowledge, and support needed to foster self-efficacy. Through this and other initiatives, Expose Excellence continues to impact lives positively by advocating for education and offering unique learning opportunities like the Freedom Tour. For more information and to register for the Freedom Tour, please contact Juno.Okoro@fbctx.gov and visit this website.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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