New Bulls Reading and Learning Center Site Announced

April 14, 2004 -- Chicago Bulls players Kirk Hinrich, Linton Johnson III and Ronald Dupree visited Chicago Youth Centers-ABC last week to announce the site has been selected for the next Chicago Bulls Reading and Learning Center.

This spring, the Bulls will construct its third Reading and Learning Center in as many years to help encourage literacy among local, young readers as part of its ongoing Read To Achieve program.

To tip-off the remodeling effort, Hinrich, Johnson and Dupree spent an afternoon with over 50 children at the Center, reading Dr. Seuss books and discussing the importance of education. Johnson, a Chicago native who spent a considerable amount of time at the 3415 West 13th Place facility as a youth, addressed the children on the hard work and determination required to be successful.

The players capped off the afternoon by signing autographs, taking photos with the children and distributing books, rulers and other Bulls materials for the students to take home.

The Reading and Learning Center, slated for completion at the end of May, will include painting and remodeling an existing room at the Center to create an area conducive to reading and research. The Bulls will install shelving and carpeting, donate reading and reference materials, provide audio and visual equipment and furnish the room to establish an environment that invites students to develop strong reading and learning habits.

As part of their ongoing Read To Achieve program, the Bulls have committed to building a Reading and Learning Center each year at a Chicago facility. The new centers are intended to assist with the program’s mission of inspiring literacy by encouraging families and adults to read regularly with young children by providing areas that encourage reading. The new center at Chicago Youth Centers-ABC will be the 90th Reading and Learning Center established in the country since the NBA launched the Read To Achieve program in 2001.

The Bulls launched the third season of the Read To Achieve program in October, 2003 in conjunction with the league-wide National Basketball Association initiative. The Read To Achieve program has been in operation by all 29 teams since the fall of 2001.