Free Spirit Media

The Henry Ford
Learning Institute —
Power House High

In 2009, Free Spirit Media began running a youth media program at Power House High located in the new Charles H. Shaw Technology and Learning Center in North Lawndale on Chicago's West Side.

Power House HighPower House HighHenry Ford Academy: Power House High is a community-supported school committed to engaging students and preparing them for the future through strong academics, a college-going culture, career exploration and real-world experiences that focus on innovation and creativity.

Free Spirit Media provides a progression of in-school, after-school, and summer media production courses and programs that prepare students to lead successful lives beyond high school. This program is integrated into the PHH educational program and will provide opportunities for students to develop high-level media skills and pursue authentic production experiences. Students tackle tough community issues and create PSAs, documentaries, and creative narrative videos while learning idea development, script writing, camera operations, composition, and editing.

This program is also supported by the Homan Arthington Foundation (Homan Square), which has helped to bring PHH and FSM together and serves as the program’s community partner as well as its facility host.