St. Luke CDC

06/18/2026

Christhouse is the Food and Clothing Distribution Center operated by the St. Luke CDC. For the week of June 14th we were honored to serve 187 individuals. Food insecurity is a serious issue in our community and we are proud to aid individuals and families become “food secure”. ❤️



community

06/16/2026

The St. Luke Community Garden is doing its thing! In short time we will have plenty of delectables to share with our neighbors. Stay tuned!

06/16/2026

Meet our 2026 Servant Leader Interns:

Arianna Jean-Philippe

My name is Arianna Jean-Philippe I am a student at New York University with a major in Global Public Health and Media, Culture, and Communications. This is my first year as a SLI for the St. Luke CDC Freedom School.

My experience in Knoxville was unexpected in the best way possible. I thought it would be similar to an average summer camp training, but the energy was unreal. I’ve never been in an environment so set on a specific skill within a specific demographic of children. However, you could tell by looking around the room at everyone dancing and chanting that everyone was fully invested in this camp and its mission. I was worried about feeling out of place and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people all in one place, but meeting other First Year SLI’s and Site Coordinators around the country immediately eased my anxiety. The training didn’t even feel like actual training; it felt like I was getting a glimpse of the fun scholars will experience during their time with us.

I am excited and looking forward to empowering our 2026 scholars to achieve and aspire for greatness!

06/16/2026

Meet our 2026 Servant Leader Interns:

Ayden Mancebo

My name is Ayden Mancebo. I am a student at NJIT with a major in Computer Science. This is my 1st year as a SLI for the St. Luke CDC Freedom School.

My experience in Knoxville was amazing. It is not often that I find myself enjoying hardships but with all the ones I faced through this training there was joy, excitement, and love. I knew that everything I was doing served a purpose and every step of the way I not only had the love and support of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ but also the love and support of every EBT, fellow SLI’ in training, and family. I am beyond grateful to have experienced this and having done so alongside Omaury, Alleyna, Arianna, and Paul. Together we saw passion and fire in the hearts of every EBT, purpose behind every activity and task, history being made before our very eyes.

I am excited and looking forward to empowering our 2026 scholars to achieve and aspire for greatness!

06/16/2026

Meet our 2026 Servant Leader Interns:

Alleyna Jean-Philippe

Hello! My name is Alleyna Jean-Philippe. I am a student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine earning a Master’s in Medical Sciences. This is my 2nd year as a SLI for the St. Luke CDC Freedom School. My experience in Knoxville was liberating. I feel prepared and ecstatic to teach my scholars how important it is to make their own light wherever they go. I am excited and looking forward to empowering our 2026 scholars to achieve and aspire for greatness.

06/16/2026

Meet our 2026 Servant Leader Interns:

O’Maury Gray-Rice

My name is O’Maury. I am a student at The College of New Jersey, and I am majoring in Psychology. This is my Second Year as an SLI for the St. Luke CDC Freedom School.

My experience in Knoxville was amazing, especially getting to go for a second year. I learned more about the history of Freedom Schools and the impact of Ella Baker. Being there again was fun because I was more engaged and had a deeper understanding of the program. Unlike last year, when I relied on returning SLIs for guidance, this year I was able to support first-year SLIs, help calm their nerves, and share what I had learned. Overall, I’m grateful for the experience. It’s bittersweet knowing we only get two years, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to be a part of it.

I am excited and looking forward to empowering our 2026 scholars to achieve and aspire for greatness, while helping them build confidence, leadership skills, and a love for learning.

06/16/2026

Meet our 2026 Site Coordinator:

Paul Mejia

My name is Paul Mejia I am a student at William Paterson University Transferring into Georgia State University in the fall with a major in Finance. This is my 2nd Year as a Site Coordinator for the St. Luke CDC Freedom School.

My experience in Knoxville was eye opening and encouraging. This is my 3rd year attending training and I have realized that each year I learn and develop more and more, not only as a person but as a leader and young adult. I encourage all to join the movement and not watch from the sideline.

I am excited and looking forward to empowering our 2026 scholars to achieve and aspire for greatness!

06/16/2026

About Freedom School ☺️

06/16/2026