Restart Academy at Thomas Askin is a school partnered with the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services located in Midwood, Brooklyn to provide students with a second chance at education. JBFCS and the Department of Education have been partnered for nearly 18 years providing students with a transitional school that offers an individualized and supportive environment, in which students can work towards obtaining high school credits or a HSE (GED) diploma. The school offers therapeutic services such as individual, family, and group counseling.

Over the course of the past 6 years, the Jewish Board has lost many donors (i.e. Government funding) and can no longer run the school, along with 4 other programs. The Jewish Board needs a new source of funding to continue running this school and keep providing positive support for those who need it. Without this school, many students have lost hope and have no other choice but to drop out because they will be exposed to many negative influences without the same level of support.

Many students who have attended this school have not been able to thrive and succeed in a large school environment. They also may lack the support necessary in their homes. Many students that attend this school struggle with mental and emotional disorders (ex. depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD) as well as learning disabilities (ex. ADHD, dyslexia) and may have been bullied in the past for such things.

We need your help to keep our school alive. It has changed the lives of so many teenagers over the years for the better and has created a safe learning environment that was inaccessible before. Family and friend relationships have been improved so much from coming to this school and this opportunity cannot be lost for future generations.