YWKids Reads Frederick Douglass

Long-time volunteer, Barbara, facilitating a Frederick Douglass activity following the reading

Thanks to funding from Mass Humanities and Massachusetts Cultural Council YWKids is reading Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” this week, June 23 – June 27.

This reading allows YWKids enrollees to engage with Frederick Douglass’ famous and influential speech. Volunteers and staff read from the speech and facilitate discussions about Frederick Douglass, his connection to New Bedford, and the impact of his speech. Trauma-informed, age-appropriate discussions also follow about slavery as part of our national history, its impact on communities today, and the importance of equity and inclusion. Our on-staff clinician also attends and supports to ensure best-practices are utilized to prevent traumatization, monitor signs of distress, and provide a space to further discuss any issues brought to light by the reading.

Each year, Mass Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council fund organizations to read and talk about Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The programming aims to spark new ideas about the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass while discussing current civic issues.

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is grateful to Mass Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their support in making this reading possible.

Director of Mission Impact, David Guadalupe, reads Frederick Douglass to YWKids