Programs
programs
Afterschool
Afterschool
Safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning spaces that support the whole child and family are essential for the academic, emotional, and social development of Latino students. We understand that true achievement begins with the belief in our community's capacity and desire to succeed. LaAmistad Afterschool passionately seeks to serve elementary-age Latino students through engaging instructional strategies that include opportunities for voice and choice, fun, and mentorship with the aim of closing the educational achievement gap and preparing them for the academic journey head.
Fast Facts
- Volunteers play a leading role in assisting LaAmistad students during afterschool programming.
- Healthy snacks and recreation time are a daily part of the holistic afterschool program.
- Manners and character-building are interwoven in afterschool programming.
- Students work with volunteers in small classroom groups.
- Students work on remediation or refine academic skills once homework is complete.
- Students participate in cultural and enrichment activities throughout the year.
- Parents of enrolled students are encouraged to attend English classes and educational workshops, and complete community service hours to give back.
programs
Anímate Summer Academy
Anímate Summer Academy
At LaAmistad, summer is a time for fun AND learning. Many of our students need additional academic support in order to maintain their academic progress and strengthen areas of weakness. With the school community closed, it’s also a time when families need the most support. LaAmistad, in partnership with several private schools, is there to provide its working families with a no-cost camp that not only bolsters academic success but exposes students to activities that, while available to their more affluent peers, are normally beyond their economic means.
Many LaAmistad students attend Anímate Summer Academy, and students outside of the LaAmistad family are invited to fill any remaining slots. Our campers spend the first part of the day immersed in the main academic subject areas of language arts, reading, and math, taught by certified educators. A reading club and social-emotional learning round out the morning.
During the summer months, parents need childcare, transportation and meal solutions while children yearn for experiences that challenge their spirits, minds, and bodies. We believe summer is a time to support the whole family and cherish the opportunity to extend our impact through our Animate Summer Academy.
Thanks to our strong partnerships and generous donors, campers have access to summer meals, transportation and recreational experiences including:
- swimming
- soccer, tennis, and other sports
- arts and crafts
- gardening
- STEM projects
- mobile zoo
- field trips
After a summer of hard work and play, campers leave with their academics pushed to the next level, positive memories, confidence, a sense of belonging and prepared for a successful school year.
programs
Parent Partnership
Monthly Parenting Workshops
LaAmistad strives to support families with students participating in LaAmistad Afterschool through monthly workshops on a variety of topics such as:
- Navigating the school system
- Parent communication and interaction with their children
- Positive discipline
- Healthy living
- College prep
- Digital literacy
- Accessing community resources
The ultimate goal of our no-cost workshops is to strengthen, revitalize, and equip families to thrive while building and maintaining healthy family relationships. For inquiries about partnering to provide quality workshops to our community, please contact us.
Service Referrals
LaAmistad’s Parent Partnership further assists families by connecting parents to community resources and agencies that provide support services. Our network includes partners such as food banks, counseling services, churches, attorneys and healthcare providers to meet the needs of our students and families.
programs
English for Successful Living
English for Successful Living
Speak With Confidence and Open Opportunities
English for Successful Living focuses on practical communication skills you can use every day.
Whether it’s a job interview, a parent-teacher conference, or a doctor’s visit, English opens doors. LaAmistad’s English for Successful Living classes meet you where you are and focus on the English you’ll actually use for work, for your family, and for everyday life.
Looking for adult English classes in Sandy Springs?
LaAmistad’s English for Successful Living provides practical communication skills for: Work, Interviews, conversations, workplace communication, family, school meetings and everyday conversations, daily life, appointments, services, and navigating your community.
Program Details
Our Fall ESL session begins September 14 and runs for 20 weeks. Register by September 23 to join the Fall session. Registrations received after the deadline will be considered for the next 20-week Spring session.
Class Schedules
Monday & Wednesday | 6:30–8:00 PM
Classes meet twice a week for 1.5 hours per class.
Saturday | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Classes meet once a week for 3 hours.
Both schedules offer Basic and Level 1 classes.
Cost
$100, paid in two installments of $50.
Required Materials
Students will need the appropriate Cambridge Ventures textbook and workbook for their class level:
Cambridge Ventures: Basic
Cambridge Ventures: Level 1
Materials are approximately $40 and can be purchased through our recommended Amazon link or independently from another retailer.
Location: 120 Northwood Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30342, Suite 140 (LaAmistad’s Learning Center)
Registration Is Currently Closed.
Interested in joining the next English for Successful Living session? Contact us to learn about upcoming registration dates and be notified when enrollment opens.
Start at the Level That’s Right for You: Whether you’re just beginning or ready to strengthen the English you already know, a placement test helps determine the right starting level for you.
Registration for Spring is CLOSED.
This session, we’re excited to offer a brand-new class designed for learners seeking a more relaxed and fun approach to improving their English skills.
- No Textbooks Required: Focus on engaging lessons to practice vocabulary, speaking, and writing in English.
- Flexible Levels: Classes are available at different levels, so everyone can find the right fit.
- Interactive Learning: A less structured, stress-free classroom environment.
- Start Date: March 2, 2026
- End Date: July 25, 2026
*Placement Test Required: All students must take a placement test to ensure they are placed in the appropriate class level.*
- Location: 120 Northwood Dr, Suite 140, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
- Hours: Weekdays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Contact: (470) 756-1558
programs
Adult Education
Adult Education
Our Adult Education classes and workshops in Spanish support personal and professional development. The offerings vary and cover topics such as:
- Financial literacy
- Mental health
- Entrepreneurship
- Immigration
- Home Buying
- Consumer awareness
If you would like more information on upcoming workshops or have a topic you would like to present, please contact us.
programs
The Suzanne W. Schirber LaAmistad Scholarship
About
The LaAmistad scholarship fund was created in loving memory of Suzanne W. Schirber, a former and dedicated LaAmistad volunteer. The scholarship will support incoming college freshmen and/or current college students in pursuit of higher education.
“Suzanne spent a lot of time with the LaAmistad students' and formed an emotional bond with many of them”, says Greg Schirber, widow of Suzanne W. Schirber. “Her wish was to see LaAmistad students' prosper and her hope was that this gift could help these students pursue higher education”.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in LaAmistad Afterschool for at least one year.
- Enrolled as a 12th grade student with sufficient credits to graduate in the spring of 2026 or enrolled full-time/part-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, 2-year, or 4-year university.
- Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA based on a 4.0 scale.
- Immediate family members of any full-time LaAmistad employee or LaAmistad scholarship committee member are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Information
Applications must be filled out completely, include all required support materials and must be completely submitted by the deadline of May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
In addition to a completed application and the required essays, every applicant must submit at least one letter of recommendation and a copy of their most recent high school or college transcript. Letters of recommendation and transcripts can be sent via email to scholarship@laamistadinc.org.
Incomplete scholarship applications cannot be considered and will not be returned.
Awardees
In order for LaAmistad to disperse scholarship funds to the college/university, awardees must provide current proof of enrollment from the college/university with the student ID number as well as a contact name and mailing address for the Student Accounts Office.
Welcome!
We’re thrilled to welcome you back into the heart of LaAmistad as Alumni. Through the LaAmistad Alumni Program, we embark on a collective journey, forging a supportive community of Latinos committed to achieving academic excellence and personal growth. As part of the LaAmistad family, we will provide unwavering support and guidance as you navigate the transformative stages from Middle School through high school and into adulthood. Our LaAmistad family has no age limit.
LaAmistad Junior Alumni (Middle School)
Step into LaAmistad's Junior Alumni Program, where we craft an environment to foster positive academic and personal communities. We hope to have a dedicated space committed to the holistic growth of our middle schoolers. We invite you to join so that we can share captivating opportunities and trips that not only build camaraderie among Jr Alumni but also instill qualities of empathy and leadership through meaningful community service. Our commitment to your academic journey is unwavering, ensuring a well-rounded experience that cultivates confidence and fuels a passion for learning
LaAmistad Senior Alumni (High School +)
As a LaAmistad Senior Alumni, embrace a program tailored to empower you on your academic journey, with a focus on excellence, personalized guidance, and community. We will continue to provide exciting trips like the Junior Alumni, now enriched with a heightened emphasis on academic achievement and personalized support. We understand that the path to success takes various forms, which is why we are excited to support alumni pursuing skill-based training and certification. For those charting the course to college, we plan on guiding you through this process through our college workshops with ACT prep. Additionally, we are excited to launch our new mentorship program to pair Latino professionals with Alumni... Join us in shaping your future with a harmonious blend of exciting experiences and the unwavering support you deserve.
Social Media
Join the LaAmistad Afterschool Student Alumni Group on Facebook! You can also join our GroupMe
If you’d like to follow and connect with other LaAmistad Alumni, please click here to join the Alumni Facebook group. We post stories, job opportunities, and alumni news and events on this page. The group is private and open exclusively to LaAmistad alumni.
After joining the Alumni group, please follow us on our other social media channels to see great content and real-time updates on LaAmistad programs and people.
Newsletter
LaAmistad publishes a quarterly alumni newsletter. There you’ll see upcoming events, interesting stories affecting our community, alumni spotlights, and much more. We’ll also share opportunities for you, your college or employer to get involved and support our efforts.
Volunteer
There’s no better way to give back to LaAmistad than to become a volunteer. While we are always in need of Latino volunteers to serve as tutors, mentors and interns in all of our programs, your time and service to an Afterschool student will have a lasting impact.
We also have other ways for you to give back to your community. Click here to see our current opportunities.
Donate
We recognize our alumni may be short on time with school, work, or family but you can still make a difference with a small gift. Your donation helps make our work possible! Click here to contribute.
Work for us!
LaAmistad actively recruits former students to join us as interns and staff. We invite you to bring your passion, skills, and personal knowledge of LaAmistad as a member of our team.
Visit our careers page to browse current openings!
programs
Birth to Five
About!
Every child deserves to walk into kindergarten ready to learn. LaAmistad's Birth to Five program teaches parents and caregivers research-backed communication and literacy strategies in weekly sessions led by bilingual facilitators. You'll get more than take-home workbooks and a community of other caregivers learning alongside you. You’ll also walk away empowered to foster bilingualism and a stronger relationship with your little one.
Program Components
- Our birth-to-five caregiver groups meet once each week over the course of 10-12 weeks. These meetings are run in Spanish by bilingual clinicians who are experts early communication development with the support of LaAmistad staff. Weekly meetings include:
- Motivation & Empowerment: Caregivers learn about the role they play in their child’s literacy in Spanish and English.
- Education and Tools: Caregivers learn strategies to help their child learn new communication and literacy skills.
- Practical Application: Caregivers practice with intention and integrate strategies into daily routines, such as mealtime, bath time, and time with family.
- Community Building: Caregivers learn alongside other caregivers of children of the same age.
- Parents get workbooks that they can take home and use as part of this program.
Birth to Five Cohorts
This 9-week course runs from September 28 through November 17.
Mondays | Sandy Springs
3:00-4:30 pm
LaAmistad Learning Center
120 Northwood Dr Suite 140, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Thursdays
10:00 am -11:30 pm
Virtual Group
Libritos y Cafecitos
Libritos y Cafecitos is a free, in-person family event for parents and caregivers with children ages 0 to 5. Families enjoy coffee, bilingual story time, a hands-on activity, and simple tips for building early reading and language skills at home.
The program supports parents and caregivers in building a love of reading with their little ones. Each of the five hour-long sessions is led by a Spanish-speaking storyteller in a small-group community setting. Libritos y Cafecitos also introduces families to LaAmistad’s Birth to Five and Babies Matter programs, along with other resources for young children and their caregivers.
If you would like to join us, please register and we will contact you with our upcoming dates.
The program was implemented during the first four weeks of the year, beginning on April 4, 2026 and ending on April 2, 2027.
Babies Matter
Partnering with Kids Matter: Babies Matter
LaAmistad is proud to partner with Kids Matter, a UK-based organization, to offer the Babies Matter program for families with infants up to 18 months old. Our staff completed Kids Matter’s training to facilitate the program for local families, and the program is delivered entirely in Spanish.
Babies Matter supports expectant and new parents through six weekly group sessions, each lasting two hours. The program helps parents build strong bonds with their babies while supporting parents’ own well-being and strengthening their parenting relationships.
Research shows that the first 1,001 days of a child’s life play an important role in their future development. Babies Matter aims to improve lifelong outcomes for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds by helping parents give their children a strong start during this critical time. Children benefit from secure attachment, responsive caregiving, and parents who feel confident and supported.