Free Lunch Academy
Free Lunch Academy is an innovative social enterprise that leverages social emotional artistic learning to cultivate character development in classrooms, careers, and throughout communities.
"A School of Thought. Serving Food for Thought. Firmly Rooted in Educational Entertainment."
What We Do
Live Performances
We offer a multi-media performance “Be A Buddy Not A Bully” play. This play has versions for different ages from pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade students. Characters navigate the pressures of school, home and social life as they grow up and learn who they are in the world
Parent & Educator Workshops
"Recess" is a workshop series for parents and educators aimed at increasing skills for adults working to provide students with ongoing support and resources regarding bullying awareness, prevention, and intervention.
Primary Grade Level Student Workshops
"Colorful Conversations” is a classroom experience specifically tailored for primary grade level students (PreK – 3rd) that helps learners explore their feelings, the feelings of others and connections between the two. Students become empowered to develop emotional intelligence through literacy, coloring, and candid conversation.
Young Adult Student Workshops
Our “Quite The Character” workshop is designed to show measurable improvements in a student’s abilities with making decisions, providing leadership and using emotional intelligence. This workshop aims to increase empathy, patience, understanding, and tolerance for participants.
Our Annual Events
Early Dismissal
Early Dismissal is a Fresh Celebration for Chicago Educators which aims to highlight and honor those everyday super heroes known as educators that consistently go above and beyond the call of duty for the children within their classrooms, households, neighborhoods and communities.
Back to School Youth Summit
Back to School Youth Summit, Fashion & Talent Showcase is a citywide event that gathers youth and young adults from the greater Chicagoland area that are looking for a reputable platform upon which to display their positively entertaining talents in various forms of fine and performing arts.
Be A Buddy Bowl-A-Thon
Be A Buddy Bowl-A-Thon is a fundraising event that serves as an opportunity to have fun with family and friends while supporting Free Lunch Academy's impactful work within the character development space. Be A Buddy Bowl-A-Thon is annually sponsored by national brands, local businesses and individuals gathering at Seven Ten Social bowling alley for games, fun and excitement while raising awareness and money for a worthwhile cause. Proceeds from this event enable Free Lunch Academy to continue providing their conflict resolution, bullying prevention and youth resilience training services within Chicagoland area school communities.