Information: breakthroughatlanta.org
NBA legends Dikembe Mutombo and Dale Ellis led two teams of former pro basketball stars during a charity basketball game at The Lovett School to raise money for a local nonprofit.
The 2nd Annual Celebrity Basketball Game, made possible through a partnership with Aaron’s Inc., raised money to help sustain Breakthrough Atlanta’s mission of providing an academically intense six-year path to college for middle school students, and hands-on teaching internships for high school and college students.
“Breakthrough has been doing incredible work for the Atlanta community for over 20 years, providing underserved youth from middle school to high school an opportunity to succeed,” said Robbie Kamerschen, general counsel at Aaron’s Inc.
The nonprofit, started in 1996, provides a six-year, tuition free, year-round, academically rigorous study skills enrichment program to help students on a pathway to college. BTA also offers a “Teacher Intern” program that provides an intensive hands-on teacher training experience for college students who have an interest in education.
“This was the second year Breakthrough Atlanta hosted a celebrity basketball game in partnership with the National Basketball Retired Players Association-Atlanta chapter and it was once again a huge success!” said Monica Rogers, executive director of Breakthrough Atlanta. “One of our most important goals is getting kids excited to be a part of their local communities and to strive to succeed academically.”
The organization has served 500 students of which 90 percent have gone on to college and 72 percent of the Teacher Interns have pursued careers in education. Volunteers can support Breakthrough Atlanta by getting involved in the summer program, the school year program or in the office.
“Watching the kids take free throws alongside celebrated figures like Dikembe Mutombo and Dale Ellis during the warmups gave me such a feeling of hope and optimism for the future,” Kamerschen added. “I hope the kids and all involved will treasure these memories and become inspired to own their futures.”
In other news: The Urban Health Initiative of Emory University is collecting new and lightly used rolling suitcases for the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children. This addresses a key need for families who move between shelters and service agencies, frequently carrying their life's possessions with them in trash bags. People interested in donating rolling suitcases can contact Carolyn Aidman at caidman@emory.edu.
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