Philadelphia, PA: LEAP/Maker

LEAP/Maker is the merger of the formerly grant-funded Maker Jawn and LEAP. The Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program – LEAP – advances literacy by promoting a love of reading, guides learning with homework assistance, and inspires curiosity by sharing hands-on STEAM, maker, and humanities programs and activities with children and teens. LEAP/Maker expands upon LEAP’s programming focusing on youth-driven maker interests. Our program employs a trauma-informed approach that promotes a feeling of safety through space, content, and personal interactions. LEAP/Maker also promotes social justice by stressing access to resources for underserved populations and offers a diverse range of activities that include culinary literacy, robotics, bike repair, sewing, and 3D sculptures. With in-person programming suspended in 2020 due to COVID, LEAP and our LEAP/Maker activities have moved to social media, as we focus on promoting teen-led projects and at-home schooling tips.