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NEW ORLEANS/ATLANTA – April 12th, 2022– Starting Saturday, May 7th, 2022, Sedrick Alphonzo, Director of Operations for Models for Success LLC, will begin his 577 mile trek from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, LA in bold support of creating a better future for underserved students and their communities.
The goal of the initiative to raise $150,000 to launch two (2) program operations, New Orleans and Atlanta for the upcoming school year 2022-2023. To support the Achieve 365 Bike-A-Thon Fundraiser and program, visit https://go.rallyup.com/achieve-365.
Director Alphonzo has committed to his life’s work to one purpose: impacting young people and equipping them with skills to create a sustainable and productive life. After decades of working with thousands of youths in New Orleans, Models for Success is launching this evolutionary next step: Achieve 365.
“As a Professional School Counselor, the methodology behind Achieve 365 is very practical. Our goal is to teach our youth how to create a life that is meaningful and contributes to society through the acquisition of real-life skills and year round application. These skills include SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), public speaking, organizing, planning and scheduling to accomplish any task,” said Mr. Alphonzo.
“Part of dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline is having appropriate and sustainable interventions at the school level. Achieve 365 plans to independently raise the capital needed for a more immediate response to this crisis until other resources become available.”
Mr. Alphonzo’s ability to understand and support youth who are pursuing success is rooted in his own real-life experiences of growing up in inner city New Orleans, becoming a teen parent and living in public housing. He believes the #1 contributing factor to his success compared to other individuals from his neighborhood who are either in poverty, incarcerated, or deceased, is a gift from his mother: a quality education, from St. Augustine High School.
Prior to the global pandemic in 2022, the educational landscape for youth and young adults across the nation was bleak due to a steepening labor shortage, cuts in educational funding, and a pay crisis for qualified educators. With more communities suffering and crying out from high crime rates, gun violence, poverty and inadequate education, the need for a radical response is paramount.
Achieve 365 is designed to re-capture, redirect, re-focus, and support youth in our communities and around the country with achieving and sustaining positive life outcomes. In addition to the learned skills, students will receive assistance with completing career assessments, identifying potential career paths and corresponding education and training requirements, assistance with college applications, and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission.
“We believe in you and your vision for our people.”
– Bill Rouselle, President and CEO of Bright Moments
The Achieve 365 Bike-a-Thon is a 577-mile ride across five (5) states: Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana over the course of 5 days and averaging 100+ miles of bike riding per day. The journey is designed to be symbolic of the commitment to this project and will serve students in both the Atlanta and New Orleans area.
***New Orleans, LA Special Event***
What: Community Bike Ride
Purpose: Support Fundraising Efforts
Event Title: Raise & Ride with Achieve365
When: Saturday, May 14, 2022
Starting Point/Route: City Park to City Hall and Back
Start Time: 10AM
More About Achieve 365 and Fundraising Goal
The fundraising goal is $150,000. With the proceeds generated from this event, Achieve 365 will immediately launch a year-one program, beginning August 2022 – May 2023. As the first of many initiatives, this program will be geared towards guiding and empowering high school students with the acquisition of valuable life-skills and post-secondary educational options, including trade schools, technical college, and/or 4-year institutions, or referrals to long-term employment for those seeking direct workforce access. It will also provide informational sessions and instructional support to any and all parents seeking guidance information for their children.
