Virginia Peninsula Rotary - Club Projects

An Achievable Dream is a partnership between the business community and Newport News Public Schools to give children who are at-risk for failure in school due to multiple social risk factors a chance to succeed. It is a K-12 program which provides a quality education in a nurturing environment, the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with caring adults and a chance to take part in engaging enrichment activities during the academic day and hours spent outside of school. An Achievable Dream was born in the summer of 1992 as a summer education and tennis program for 100 fourth graders as an introduction to the sport but also to teach character development and discipline.

The AAD curriculum challenges the students while building self-esteem and confidence. Classes offer intensive reading programs, proper business English (Speaking Green), accelerated math courses and etiquette courses.

In 1993, the Peninsula Rotary Club sponsored the first Tennis Ball fundraiser to benefit An Achievable Dream. Since that time, the Tennis Ball has grown to become one of the largest fundraising events on the Virginia Peninsula. Currently held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, the Tennis Ball hosts over a thousand paying guests plus additional honored guests and speakers.