Cumberland Academy of Georgia Empowers Neurodiverse Students to Give Back Through Monthly “Cumberland Cares” Community Initiative

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Cumberland Academy of Georgia, a premier fully accredited private school specializing in the education of students with level 1 autism, ADHD, and other learning differences, is proud to highlight its pioneering community engagement program, Cumberland Cares. This dedicated monthly initiative takes students out of the classroom and places them directly into the local community, fostering vital social skills, empathy, and leadership through service.

By dedicating a full day each month to volunteer work, Cumberland Cares bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world civic engagement. The program gives students in grades 3 through 12 a powerful sense of purpose while challenging stereotypes and building lasting connections across the greater Atlanta area.

“At Cumberland, our mission goes beyond academic achievement; we are fully dedicated to the social success and emotional growth of our students,” said Debbi Scarborough, founding director of Cumberland Academy of Georgia. “The Cumberland Cares initiative provides our students with invaluable hands-on experiences. By giving back, they discover the powerful role they can play in society, developing confidence and empathy that will serve them for a lifetime.”

The Cumberland Cares program partners with a diverse array of local organizations to give students a well-rounded understanding of community needs, including:

• Fostering Intergenerational Bonds: Students visit the Somerby Senior Living Center to spend quality time socializing, playing games, and sharing stories with elderly residents, enhancing their conversational skills and bridging generational gaps.
• Combating Food Insecurity: Partnering with Open Hand Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank, students actively package meals and sort food donations to support local families and individuals fighting illness and hunger.
• Environmental Stewardship: Students roll up their sleeves at the Lost Corners Preserve to assist with trail maintenance and litter pickup, and they take ownership of local infrastructure through the school’s Adopt-a-Road Project.

Through these varied service projects, Cumberland Academy of Georgia continues to champion an inclusive model where neurodiverse individuals are recognized not just as recipients of support, but as vital, active contributors to the well-being of their community.

To learn more about Cumberland Academy of Georgia, the Cumberland Cares initiative, or to explore partnership opportunities, please visit cumberlandacademy.org or call 404-835-9000.

About Cumberland Academy of Georgia

Founded in 2007 by Debbi Scarborough, Cumberland Academy of Georgia is a fully accredited, independent, non-profit school located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The academy specializes in the needs of students in grades 3 through 12 (as well as postgraduate studies) who have level 1 autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Cumberland provides a safe, supportive, and structured environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.