Atlanta Achieve One is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to provide high school males, particularly African Americans, with experiences in leadership, community service, life skills, and mentoring in becoming well rounded citizens. Atlanta Achieve One is an affiliate of Atlanta Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. It is a public charity supporting, developing, and recognizing the achievements of high school males.

 

The vision is simple: Inspire young high school males in achieving self-actualization.

 

Atlanta Achieve One has been providing services for the past twenty years to high school age young men from ninth grade to the twelfth grade, of DeKalb County, Georgia. It is clear, however, that there is a need to expand the organization's reach. Time is critical for the young men who are being incarcerated in increasing numbers, who drop out of school at alarming rates, and who are too often left behind to exist on the fringes of society. That is a reality that Atlanta Achieve One intends to change. 

 

The young are our future. We cannot afford to squander their gifts and there should be no "throw away" children. Sadly, many young men are faced with an onslaught of challenges from a variety of sources, making it difficult for them to thrive and become courageous, productive members of our community. The volunteers of Atlanta Achieve One are dedicated to making a difference - dedicated to changing the current alarming, unfolding reality by reaching out to one high school male at a time. 

 

For nearly twenty years, the members have provided scholarships because these young men often have the desire to continue their education, but are lacking funds.

 

Atlanta Achieve One has partnered with Southwest DeKalb High School in order to conduct Groove Leadership Academy (GLA).

To date the organization has touched the lives of over 150 youngsters.

 

Mentees of Groove Leadership Academy, known as "gents," are chosen by counselors, teachers, or who are self-selected, are enrolled in Groove Leadership Academy. The young men are exposed to areas of interest and possible career choices by taking them to visit job sites or by introducing them to individuals in the field of their choice.  

 

Volunteers use a carefully crafted curriculm that focuses on leadership, social development, academc tutorial and volunteerism to guide the program goals. The young men are exposed to Parlimentary procedures as they take an active part in setting the agenda for achieving their shared goals.

 

Atlanta Achieve One fulfills its purpose by focusing on the following areas:

• Mentorship

• Leadership

• Academic Awareness

• Character Development

• Career Skills and Choices.

 

The dedicated men of the international organization, Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc., have been the core of this volunteer program. They are professionals from many walks of life, including teachers, principals, bankers, entrepreneurs, contractors, and accountants. Giving back to the community is their motivation, because someone did the same for them when they were in high school.

 

These dedicated men use their influence to partner with schools and to reach out to youngsters who are at risk, were in the foster care system or who ask to participate in the program because they see the value it will bring to their lives.