Finding Solutions: SOAR Academy looks for new home after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - One local school is still looking for a place to call home.
SOAR Academy suffered significant damage to their building off Washington Road from Hurricane Helene, which caused them to shut down for two months.
Last week, they were able to open back up to their students at a temporary location.
They’re now finding solutions to what a permanent fix would look like.
Kenisha Skaggs, founder of SOAR Academy, says they’ve lost around 10% to 15% of their families in the two months they’ve been closed. .
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“It’s been devastating for a small business like SOAR, but our facility was just severely unstable, and we service 100% neurodivergent population, primarily autistic. So, having all of the changes in the building, tiles still falling and then there’s no air, it just wasn’t conducive,” said Skaggs.
They are now looking to the future, and that’s a permanent location.
Skaggs says they recently submitted an offer on the closed elementary school — A. Brian Merry.
“We would love to keep that facility as an education initiative to ensure more students reach adulthood successfully,” said Skaggs.
Mary Katherine Gorlich enrolled her daughter, Cora, in SOAR three years ago.
She says she’s all on board with the academy purchasing a facility, so more parents will experience what she has.
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“We’re going to be able to open up and help so many more students and I think that’s the best part. Other parents are getting to feel that confidence that works for them like I get to,” said Mary Katherine.
Cora says she was behind at her previous school and after coming to SOAR, that’s changed.
“I can say that SOAR Academy is a better option than most. SOAR Academy has proven time and time again they want to help and from our founder, she has always wanted to help,” said Cora.
Skaggs says there are around 250 families on their waitlist and a larger facility would help them serve more students in the area.
“This purchase is just more than a facility. SOAR is a home, a safety net for these kids, a safety net for all students, but it’s a place where every student is seen and heard, and their accommodations are met in the way they need them,” said Skaggs.
For more information about SOAR Academy, visit their Facebook page or their website.
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