2nd Saturday · Monthly
Book and Cook
Literacy, cooking and cultural learning. Neighbors come together, share a meal and build relationships.
Try a little activity
A community center for the whole family
When Safety Meets Opportunity, Light Grows
A grade 2–12 school in Durham, a child care center in Weldon and a family support hub serving North Carolina families.
Trauma-informed & survivor-safe
Grades 2–12 · fewer than 10 per class
Durham & Weldon, NC
The people we do this with
City of Durham Parks & Recreation
Sankofa Farms
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
National Network to End Domestic Violence
SEEDS
Kramden Institute
The Phoenix
Sunnah Slammers
Rites of Passage Institute
Community Brotherhood
Cliffton & Reddick, PLLC
SATEZO
2–12
Grades served,
second to twelfth
second to twelfth
<10
Students per class,
every child known
every child known
2
NC locations —
Durham & Weldon
Durham & Weldon
ESA+
& Opportunity Scholarship
accepted
accepted
5,000food boxes packed
3,500+service hours
99%math growth
88%reading growth
2025–2026 results. What these numbers mean
The reality we're addressing
Families don't experience their challenges one at a time
01
A child can't focus on multiplication tables when they're worried about what's happening at home.
02
A parent can't support their kid's education when they're struggling to keep food on the table.
03
A family can't plan for the future when they're just trying to survive today.
This is the reality too many North Carolina families face.
And it's exactly why Amir Institute exists.
We meet families where they are, and walk with them toward where they want to be.
What makes Amir different
We connect the dots that others miss
Wellness, education, early childhood, family services, survivor and food resources, all connected. Families don't just get a list of referrals. They get real support.
A struggling student
Gets more than tutoring
Small classes, social, emotional and ethical learning built into movement and the school day, and support for what's really blocking the learning.
A parent facing job loss
Gets stability for the family
Job-readiness support while their child is in school or at The Garden.
A family facing hunger
Gets food resources and support
Connections to local food pantries alongside mental-health support. Hunger and stress compound each other.
A survivor seeking safety
Gets privacy and dignity
Confidential, survivor-informed support. No public disclosure required.
Life at Amir
What "Nurturing Your Light" looks like
<10per class
Education that serves the whole child
See Our Curriculum
Cultivating Servant Leaders
Grades 2–12 in classes of fewer than 10. A rigorous, research-based curriculum, including “Math in Focus”, “HMH Into Reading” and “Into Literature”, delivered through our STEEAM approach to educate the whole child: mind, heart and body, rooted in servant leadership.
Students who felt invisible in 30-student classes now have teachers who know their names, their learning styles, and exactly what they need to succeed.
Two places to start
Our school and our early childhood program
Join either one and your family is connected to everything else we do.
Amir Institute School
Grades 2–12 in intentionally small classes of fewer than 10. Socratic, Montessori-informed, with social, emotional and ethical learning led by a licensed therapist.
Visit the School
The Garden
Preschool (ages 3–5) and school-age (K–6) child care in Weldon. Opening January 2027.
Visit The GardenCommunity life at Amir
Little moments. Big discoveries.
Open to the whole community — with a little activity to try on each one.
2nd Saturday · Monthly
Every Wednesday
Wellness Wednesdays
Wellness education and activities covering physical, mental and emotional health — practical and accessible.
Try a little activity
3rd Sunday · Monthly
Mindfulness Movement Matters
Movement, stillness and mental-health practice brought together for the whole community.
Try a little activity
4th Saturday · Monthly
Open Mic Night
Art, music, storytelling and cultural celebration — a stage for neighbors of every age to be heard.
Try a little activitySupport our work
This work runs on people who give
Small classes, service learning and family support take real funding. Unrestricted gifts let us respond where the need is greatest.
Zeffy charges no fees, so 100% of your gift goes to our students.
Stay connected to this work
Updates on programs, events, impact stories and ways to get involved — sent to your inbox.