HAWKS ATHLETIC CLUB

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, 87193 United States

Mission Statement

Hawks Athletic Club is a 501 (c)(3) community based non-profit organization in Albuquerque committed to supporting the development of aspiring school aged athletes. Our mission is to provide a safe, fun, and challenging wrestling experience to all participants, creating accessible and affordable programing for families in our community. We promote the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of our members through hard work, commitment, competition, and the camaraderie found in wrestling. The Hawks Athletic Club strives to instill physical health, sportsmanship, self-confidence, self-esteem and strong values of dedication, persistence, hard work, and honesty which are the foundations for success in wrestling as well as life. As we create champions on and off the mat, we will provide the coaching and direction for our athletes to compete across the state, at the national level, and even to pursue collegiate level opportunities.

About This Cause

The Hawks Athletic Club's (HAC) after-school and summer program can play a significant role in promoting college readiness and improving attendance and graduation rates for PreK-12 students. The unique nature of programming centering around sports and physical activity provides an unparalleled setting to teach character education. Through our programming, we aim to develop discipline, perseverance, dedication, and a strong work ethic. We strive to teach our athletes how to set goals and use hard work to accomplish those goals. These lessons will provide the building blocks for success on and off the mat, creating team and future community leaders. Participation in athletic activities promotes physical health and wellness, which can indirectly impact academic performance. Healthy students are more likely to attend school regularly and be able to concentrate on their studies, contributing to better academic outcomes. Being part of a team can inspire students to think more about their futures, including higher education and career goals. The mentors and coaches in our program play a pivotal role in motivating students to achieve their best and consider paths they might not have thought possible, such as attending college. Studies have shown that participation in athletic clubs can increase students’ engagement in school. Students who are engaged are more likely to attend school regularly and be invested in their education, leading to higher attendance rates and lower dropout rates. The HAC provides a safe and structured environment for students outside of regular school hours; in the past few years Albuquerque and APS have seen an increase in youth gun violence so the need for youth programming is evident as it is proven that this safe environment helps reduce risky behaviors and ensures that students have a productive space to grow academically and personally. The Hawks Athletic Club deeply values community partnerships because we recognize that our collective impact is greater than the sum of our individual efforts. Creating community partnerships enable us to leverage diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise to address complex social challenges more effectively. In the past 7 years, the HAC has partnered with Albuquerque Public Schools, Bernalillo County, Bernalillo County Sherriff’s Department, New Mexico National Guard, Albuquerque Parks and Recreation, USA Wrestling, the Amateur Athletic Union, and the USA Wrestling Our partnerships with the schools and local government allow us to expand our outreach, recruit participants, secure resources such as facilities, and make sure our programming aligns with needs and educational goals of our community. Partnerships with governing bodies helps us to align our strategic priorities with national benchmarks, aides in creating comprehensive risk management policies and procedures, as well as gives us the latest resources for training and development of staff and participants. Our current strategic plans focuses on growth and staff development, with this in mind we are looking to create more strategic partnerships in the future. We recognize that in order to best serve our community we need a targeted approach in our collaborations and will seek out partnerships that serve marginalized areas in our communities. We have also identified increased DEI training and with that we plan to utilize the resources of community organizations. Among our the organizations we look to partner with are Special Olympics New Mexico, the NB3 Foundation, the Police Athletic League, the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, and the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network. Our staff is committed to expanding our knowledge to create a supportive and inclusive program for all and in doing so we hope to help raise the next generation of leaders where inclusivity is the norm. By collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations, we can maximize our reach, expand our programs, and better serve the needs of our community. Together, we can create lasting change, empower individuals, and build a stronger, more resilient community for all.

HAWKS ATHLETIC CLUB
Po Box 65154
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico 87193
United States
Phone 5053314224
Unique Identifier 812258157