PRA Group Donates $300,000 to An Achievable Dream to Support Equity in Education
Norfolk, VA — PRA Group (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, today announced a $300,000 donation to support An Achievable Dream’s efforts to bringing equity to education.
An Achievable Dream (AAD) is a nationally recognized K–12 program dedicated to the belief that all children can learn and succeed regardless of their socioeconomic background. AAD operates schools in partnership with Newport News Public Schools and Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and AAD Certified Academy in Henrico County near Richmond, Virginia.
“Ensuring students have the opportunities and resources they need to build their best futures is one of the most important things we can do,” said Kevin Stevenson, president, and chief executive officer. “With this donation, we’re focused on advancing access, participation, and long-term success for students and families from underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
Ahead of initial pandemic closures, AAD staff and volunteers purchased, packed, and delivered two-week supply bags of food, school supplies, and hygiene items to 430 families. AAD has continued to provide food, hygiene, and school supplies to its students and families as needed throughout the pandemic.
“Because of community partners like PRA Group, who know the value of investing in future generations, we are able to serve students and families in Virginia Beach who need our support. We provide opportunities for success in school and life, and this gift has such an important impact in our community. We are so grateful!” said Dr. Lee Vreeland, President & CEO, An Achievable Dream
“We are so grateful for the support of community partners like PRA Group. With this gift, we can further impact the lives of students right here in Virginia Beach, every day, in tangible ways,” said Charles Barker, Chair, Board of Directors, An Achievable Dream Virginia Beach. “This gift will truly help An Achievable Dream continue to change students’ lives and set them on a path to success.”
The $300,000 donation from PRA Group, paid over three years, will support more students having access to the same opportunities, exposure, tools, and resources they need to be successful. Key components of AAD’s program include a trademarked SAME® (social, academic, and moral education) curriculum, extended academic day and week, 4-week summer intersession, extensive field trips, clubs, uniforms, and social rotation courses including STEM, mindfulness & meditation, conflict resolution, ethics, etiquette, and workforce communication.
PRA’s partnership with An Achievable Dream is part of the Company’s ongoing work to support education equality initiatives in communities across the country. Recently, the Company donated $50,000 to Old Dominion University’s student food pantry to ensure ODU students not only have access to food but have what they need to focus on succeeding in college. In addition, PRA Group teamed up with West Virginia University with a $210,000 donation to advance financial literacy programming for students across West Virginia.