abhayacademy.org

As a grassroots non-profit organization, Abhay Academy strives to serve the children of families who are seeking a nurturing, holistic and safe learning environment that stimulates cognitive and social/emotional development on an individual level. 

We have partnered with the New Orleans Healing Center and are in the process of transforming a set of properties on St. Claude Avenue, located in the Marigny neighborhood of downtown New Orleans, into a Class “A” child care center that will serve 66 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. 

The Future Home of Abhay Academy

 
With the heartfelt assistance of the Greater New Orleans Rebuild Child Care Collaborative, the New Orleans Healing Center, and KaBooM! we are creating a “corridor of care” on St. Claude Avenue for the community and families who live and/or work in the Marigny, French Quarter, CBD, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th wards. 

Our History 

The word “Abhay” means “fearless” in Sanskrit, the classical language of India, and is a popular baby name there.  Abhay Charan Dey, a modern Indian saint, devoted his life to the betterment of society through spiritual unity and the establishment of institutions which fostered the mental, physical and spiritual development of every individual from birth.  He was especially committed to caring for children, so that they might grow and thrive with confidence and without fear. 

In this spirit of service, a team of non-profit leaders, business professionals and early childhood educators joined forces to establish Abhay Academy and meet the dire need for quality child care in the city of New Orleans. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans lost 71% of its Class “A” licensed child care providers. 

Our Mission  

To provide superior quality child care, nurturing the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development of children from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds. 

Our Vision  

Abhay Academy is establishing a full time five-star rated center that meets a critical need for quality child care in the region. Our organization will benefit children, families, staff and the larger community as follows: 

• Provide a clean and loving environment in which young children will learn, play,grow and thrive
• Foster the development of each child according to his/her individual level of advancement
• Create an environment rich with diverse cultural and spiritual experiences, removing racial and ethnic barriers and equipping children for success in our pluralistic society
• Provide education about a vegetarian lifestyle that emphasizes the importance of holistic health, nutrition and wellness
• Constitute the sole day care center where some religious minorities as well as a rapidly growing community of vegetarians/vegans can be assured of appropriate diet for their children
• Inculcate the value of service and learning at an early age as foundational for developing leadership  skills, community awareness and moral purpose
• Offer quality child care with a low teacher-student ratio
• Achieve a five star rating from the Louisiana Department of Social Services
• Serve children drawn from diverse demographics
• Guarantee accessibility to families of all income levels via a sliding fee scale
• Support staff to further their education in the early-childhood field
• Compensate staff with base pay above median wage for child-care providers