After 11 Years, Amit Program to Close
STAFF REPORT //
On Dec. 5, it was announced that the Amit Program, Atlanta’s centralized Jewish special education agency, will be closing as of June 2013.
A representative of the Program stressed that details – community impact, potential continuation of services, etc. – are still forthcoming.
Thus, in lieu of speculation or the potentially premature printing of reader reactions, the AJT shares the following letter, released by Amit board president Ina Enoch with executive director Linda Zimmerman:
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness and deep regret that we are writing to inform you that The Amit Program will be closing in June 2013. Since 2001, we have had the privilege of serving more than 70 extraordinary students and their families in our Gar’inim School, 110 students in our learning support programs, 25 students in our special needs Sunday School, 170 families through our virtual parent support network and hundreds more through our professional development opportunities, consultation services and Taylor Family Speaker Series. It is our hope to work with our community agencies in order to maintain these important programs.
The timing of this announcement is necessitated by the responsibility we feel we have to our parents, students, teachers, administrative staff and community partners. It is of the utmost importance to us that we are able to properly assist each transitioning member of our Amit family with the support necessary for the 2013-2014 academic year. We truly understand that this will be a challenging time for all concerned. Our goal is to help find appropriate educational placements for all our students – our source of inspiration – as well as to provide assistance to our talented and dedicated staff as they seek new career opportunities.
The reality of our situation is not dissimilar to the many not-for-profit organizations that have been impacted during these unstable economic times. We so appreciate all those individuals who have supported us since our inception. We have been able to assist our many special families, in large part, due to the generosity of the wonderful donors who have truly helped champion our mission. We are also very grateful to The Davis Academy for providing our school a rent-free home.
As we celebrate The Festival of Lights, although we have decided to close our agency, it is our prayer that there may be those in our community who choose to keep our flame burning brightly.
Thank you for supporting Amit, for understanding how difficult this decision has been for us, and for caring about the need to serve the special learners in our Jewish community. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
B’Shalom,
Ina Enoch, Board President
Linda Zimmerman, Executive Director
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