Acworth Achievers Win $15,000 from Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have announced Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program as the winner of this year’s $15,000 Atlanta Hawks Reading and Learning Zone Makeover, sponsored by Philips as part of the Hawks Read to Achieve program. Construction on the space will begin this month, with completion slated for mid-August as school resumes.

“The Atlanta Hawks Reading and Learning Zone grant is a way for us to transform centers of learning and strengthen our commitment to education in communities where our fans live, work and play,” said Bob Williams, President of Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. “It is gratifying to be able to provide the opportunity for our young people to get excited about learning in a brand new, uniquely designed space.”

The Acworth Achievers' mission is to provide middle and high school students educational assistance, consistent recreational activities, adult guidance and encouragement through mentorship to develop positive and more advantageous habits.

The Reading and Learning Zone will give the Acworth Achievers up to $15,000 to makeover a portion of the Roberts School Community Education Center, with the help of a global design firm, Gensler. The improvements will include new books, an upgrade to the interior finishes and furniture which will include Hawks Branding and décor in an effort to make the new space a fun, motivational and valuable environment for Acworth students.

“The Atlanta Hawks Reading and Learning Zone will make a tremendous impact on our programs facility, our students and our families” said Frank White, Recreation Coordinator at the . “The Acworth Achievers would like to thank the Atlanta Hawks for making this life changing experience possible for youth in the Acworth community.”

Nominations for the Reading and Learning Zone were accepted between April 25 and June 1 from organizations within 50 miles of Philips Arena that serve youth under the age of 18. The Atlanta Hawks selected Acworth Achievers, which currently serves 150 students per month, as the recipient for their focus on mentorship, recreational activity and implementation of the "Too Good for Drugs and Violence," "Love Is Not Abuse," and "Guiding Good Choices" programs in conjunction with Success for All Students for all grade school students, the and their parents.

The Acworth Achievers began in 2009 as subprogram of the Expanding Horizons Program that was created with a generous contribution from an anonymous benefactor.