ATLANTA — An Atlanta nonprofit that provides tuition-free summer programs has added one of the city's most respected religious and philanthropic institutions as its newest host.
The Temple is home to the Bremen Education Center and Horizons Atlanta will utilize the site to serve an additional 30 children from Fred A. Toomer Elementary School who are rising into first and second grades.
The Temple is the 11th institution to serve as a host for Horizons Atlanta, which is now in its 10th year.
The summer programs offered by Horizons Atlanta are hosted on the campuses of independent, public, and charter schools, colleges, and universities.
"Students enter the Horizons summer program based on referrals from their current teaching staff and typically remain in the program until they complete eighth grade," a news release said. "The Temple program will eventually serve up to 135 students through the eighth grade, adding a new grade level each summer beginning in 2024."
According to Alex Wan, executive director of the nonprofit, Horizons Atlanta organizes tuition-free six-week summer intensive learning programs. Wan also serves as an Atlanta City Council member representing District 6.
He said that the nonprofit works toward preventing summer learning loss in underserved communities by teaching literacy, mathematics and swim skills to K-8 students in the metro Atlanta area.
"This is our opportunity just to go, everybody gets a chance to have a great summer experience, have fun, and then we sneak in a little bit of learning at the same time," Wan said.
How to get involved
According to the nonprofit, there are still a few spots open and parents can enroll until the very last minute, depending on which location they apply to. Parents can email info@horizonsatlanta.org to get more information.
"We can’t wait for the opportunity for students to learn, grow and achieve their goals with The Temple and Horizons. And we are so grateful to be able to offer this program to our community, " the Temple’s Rabbi Lydia Medwin said in a news release.