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 Fannie Lewis is a grandmother, community activist and Cleveland City Councilwoman who is raising several grandchildren. Two of them, Allison and Alicia attend St. Adalbert Catholic Elementary School through the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program.
Councilwoman Lewis talks about her struggle to obtain educational options for her family and all the families who live in her predominantly Black, low-income city council district.
"When it comes to people with money, they have control of their schools. In rich suburbs, you don’t hear about parents putting up with these discussions about regaining control of the schools. In poor areas, we are told to wait for things to improve."
"I had such a hard time getting my own kids through public schools. It took all my energy. I was at school all the time."
"You get so old you don’t have that kind of energy. I shouldn’t have to fight to help my child get an education."
"I was so disgusted with the Cleveland Public Schools because they weren’t doing anything to improve the schools for our children. So, I fought for vouchers."
"My grandchildren are not with their parents so that is one barrier to their education. Other children have other barriers. Some children are faced with drug traffic or are being raised by a relative who doesn’t care."
"The public schools are not safe. That’s a barrier to getting an education. The children can’t learn if they are afraid to go to school. They can’t learn if it’s too wild."
"Vouchers give me a choice for where I want to send my grandchildren. It’s about taking the child and putting them in the best place you can to get them an education. The place with the fewest barriers. The voucher is good because it decreases the barriers the children are facing. "
"The voucher program certainly has helped me to put my grandchildren in schools where they can learn and be safe. And, there’s a communication system at the private school that allows me to go right to the teacher. It’s a calmer atmosphere for learning."
"All I want for my grandkids and any other child, is a good education so they can get out of school and pedal for a job."
"As a parent, you try to equip the children with as many tools as you can. The more you learn, the more you earn. A good education gives them the foundation. They need a stable foundation."
"We are rebuilding our neighborhood and most of the parents are choosing private schools. Thanks to the voucher program, they can now get a good education for their children."
"The goal is for them to come out of school and get a good job and make an honest living."
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