Premier Academy Annual Charity Golf Tournament Addresses 30 Million Word Gap for Low-Income Children

ATLANTA - Sept. 26, 2016 - PRLog -- Premier Academy has partnered with community leaders to host its 5th annual Legacy Golf Tournament providing scholarships to low-income families to ensure they receive a quality early childhood education. In 2014 President Obama made bridging the 'word gap' among toddlers a top priority.

The Legacy Charity Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, October 14th at Browns Mill Golf Course. The shotgun kicks off at 8:30 am. Registration fee is $100 per person or $400 per 4-person team with proceeds benefitting school readiness programs for low-income preschoolers.

Research shows that during the first three years of life, a poor child hears roughly 30 million fewer total words than his or her more affluent peers. This is known as the "word gap," and it can lead to disparities not just in vocabulary size, but also in school readiness, long-term educational and health outcomes,
earnings, and family stability, even decades later.

Obama said in a statement:

"We know that right now during the first three years of life, a child born into a low-income family hears 30 million fewer words than a child born into a well-off family. By giving more of our kids' access to high-quality preschool and other early learning programs, and by helping parents get the tools they need to help their kids succeed, we can give those kids a better shot at the career they are capable of, and a life that will make us all better off. This is one of my top priorities. I want to thank the growing coalition of researchers, non-profits, and foundations who have made it theirs. I am challenging, even more, Americans to join this effort. Let's find new ways to deliver a world-class education to our children, bridge the word gap, and put more young people on the path to success." - President Obama, June 25, 2014, on Bridging the Word Gap

For over 40 years, Premier Academy has provided the educational foundation for more than 25,000 children in metro-Atlanta and has removed barriers to quality education for thousands of at-risk children while strengthening their families and the community. To date, they have raised over $65k in scholarships for at-risk youth.

This year, community partners and leaders include Kroger, Georgia Power, Best Bank, Coca Cola, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta City Council member, Joyce M. Sheperd and Fitness Expert and TV Personality, Tramell Smith.

This annual golf tournament will provide assistance in creating educational opportunities to bridge the word gap for children attending Premier Academy's early learning programs . To purchase individual or group tickets, please contact Cindra Taylor @ 404-366- 3700 or visit http://www.premier-academy.com.

About Premier Academy Inc.

Premier Academy is a non-profit organization that provides quality educational, developmental and additional services such as mental health and basic wellness resources for children and families. Organized in 1971 in the Bedford Pines Community as a childcare facility for low-income residents, Premier's programs, and services have since expanded to include developmental testing and remediation, after-school and state-sponsored tutoring services for children in grades K-5, and training and capacity- building resources for community members. Feel free to visit our website for more info at http://www.premier-academy.org/.