Dream to Partner with IKEA to Make Over Classrooms at Girls Inc. Center
The classrooms are used as part of the Girls Inc. Afterschool Program, which is for girls in first grade and up. The program teaches girls the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to succeed in life and in school. Girls receive homework support and participate in identity programs which engage them in topics such as science, technology, finance and body image and confidence building.
The project is being funded by a $5,000 donation from IKEA, which will supply the furniture, tools, paint, wall graphics and other accessories and d�cor. On the day of the project, volunteers, including Dream players and staff members as well as representatives from IKEA and Girls Inc., will be assembling and placing furniture, mounting items on the walls and accessorizing the classrooms.
�We are thrilled to collaborate with IKEA on this special makeover project for Girls Inc,� said Atlanta Dream President and General Manager Angela Taylor. �Together, we hope to have a profound impact on these young girls who will be the future leaders in our communities as a result of the incredible resources Girls Inc. provides to them through their programming. As an organization, the Dream is dedicated to impacting the lives of young girls by introducing them to the amazing and dynamic women who are living their dream by playing in the WNBA. We look forward to seeing the looks on the girls� faces when the makeover is complete.�
�We recognize that Girls Inc. improves life for girls in the community with their programs and we want to celebrate their work by updating their classrooms with stylish, affordable furniture that meets all their needs,� says Deidra Cunningham, Public Relations Manager at IKEA Atlanta.
�This project will have a great impact on our center and we are very thankful for this partnership,� said Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta CEO, Anno Hardage. �Having thoughtfully designed spaces and furniture helps us to create a supportive learning environment for our girls, empowering them to be strong, smart and bold. Additionally, the Atlanta Dream have served as outstanding role models for the girls. Seeing these strong, smart, bold women on the court and volunteering in the center makes them feel connected to greater possibilities.�
About the Atlanta Dream
The three-time Eastern Conference Champion Atlanta Dream recently completed its seventh season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Dream has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, and won conference titles in 2013, 2011 and 2010. Season tickets for the 2015 season can be purchased by calling (877) 977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net.
About Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta
Since 1976, Girls Inc. has empowered over 100,000 girls in metro Atlanta to be Strong, Smart and Bold. Girls Inc. offers programming from kindergarten to 12th grade through comprehensive after-school, Summer University, and workshop programming in Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett County school systems and Atlanta Public Schools. In all settings, trained staff implement age appropriate, research-based curriculum developed by the Girls Inc. National Resource Center. This curriculum, delivered in a safe girl only environment, has been proven to consistently meet intended outcomes in six core program areas:
� Careers & Life Planning
� Culture & Heritage
� Leadership & Community Action
� Self-Reliance & Life Skills
� Sports & Adventure
� Health & Sexuality
Our mission is to empower all girls to navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into strong (healthy), smart (educated) and bold (independent) leaders. To learn how you can be a part of the Girls Inc. movement, visit www.girlsincatl.org
About IKEA
In the community, IKEA Atlanta sustainability initiatives have made an impact since 2005 by: planting trees at Arabia Mountain High School, tree seedling giveaways to customers, donating products and resources to non-profit organizations that focus on homelessness/shelter, children, education, or the environment, installing 4,326 solar panels on the IKEA rooftop and so many more. Learn more at IKEA-USA.com/Atlanta and @IKEA_Atlanta.
The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, there are currently 362 IKEA Group stores in 45 countries. There are 40 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 13, the IKEA Group had 135,000 co-workers, 684 million visitors to the stores and 1.3 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, visit IKEA-USA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, youtube.com/IKEAUSA, www.theshare-space.com.