AT&T expands its Connected Learning Center
footprint to more locations, including at Boys & Girls Clubs,
bringing the benefits of broadband and digital access to even more
people
DALLAS, Nov. 7, 2022
/PRNewswire/ --
What's the news?
At its 20th Connected Learning Center (CLC)
opening today at SER Metro in Detroit, AT&T* announced plans to reach 50
total centers nationwide through the AT&T Connected Learning
initiative, including at Boys & Girls Clubs.
This initiative, part of a companywide $2
billion commitment from 2021-2023 to help address the
digital divide, aims to provide communities with the connectivity,
computers, and digital skills needed for success in school and in
life. CLCs in Atlanta,
Chicago, Los Angeles, and Augusta, GA were unveiled last month. For a
complete list of CLCs across the country, go to
att.com/connectedlearning.
"We know this support is vital to closing the digital divide and
that's why we continue to prioritize our efforts in underserved
communities around the country," said John Stankey, chief executive officer at
AT&T. "The resources available in these centers are crucial
to connecting more Americans to greater possibilities and helping
them achieve educational, economic and work success."
Housed within local organizations supporting communities in
need, AT&T Connected Learning Centers provide free access to a
range of digital resources, including high-speed AT&T Fiber
internet and Wi-Fi, Dell Technologies computers, The Achievery, a
free digital learning platform created by AT&T, and digital
literacy resources available through AT&T ScreenReady. Students
and families also have access to free virtual and in-person
tutoring and mentoring opportunities with AT&T employees.
"Today, access and connectivity online is critical to ensure
kids and teens can succeed academically," said Jim Clark, president and CEO, Boys & Girls
Clubs of America. "We are thrilled to collaborate once again
with AT&T to enable even more youth across the nation to
achieve a great future."
The collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs will scale up the
reach of CLCs and assist their mission to provide support for all
young people, especially those in need. Like the other CLCs, the
ones at Boys & Girls Club locations will give students a place
to access free high-speed connectivity, essential digital
resources, and take advantage of tutoring and other support
opportunities, helping them reach their full potential.
Why is this important?
The digital divide impacts
millions without an internet connection. With connectivity fueling
nearly everything we do, strong communities and equitable
opportunities for all people depend on access to high-performance
connectivity they can afford – and the digital literacy resources
that promote its safe and effective use.
Bridging the digital divide requires businesses, nonprofits and
government to come together to bring high-quality connectivity to
millions of people that need it most. High-quality connectivity
that is affordable, as well as the digital skills and resources,
are crucial to thrive in our modern world.
What else should I know?
These efforts, and more, are
part of AT&T's "Bridge to Possibility" campaign, focused on
driving awareness of the challenges caused by the digital divide
and the collective response needed to address it. Efforts
included:
- Launching AT&T Fiber in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, as part of a public-private
partnership to deliver high-speed internet to more than 20,000
homes and businesses located in unincorporated parts of the
county.
- AT&T employees participating in activities to help bridge
the digital divide, including distributing more than 1,000
refurbished laptop computers and rolling up their sleeves to help
beautify CLCs in several cities. These efforts built on our
recently announced commitment of more than $10 million to support the distribution of more
than 26,000 free computers to students and families in
need.
- Free digital literacy workshops hosted by employees throughout
October to help newly connected parents, caregivers and families
gain the skills and confidence they need to use technology
leveraging resources developed in collaboration with the Public
Library Association.
AT&T Connected Learning Centers complement the company's
participation in low-cost service programs like Access from
AT&T and the federal Affordable Connectivity Program by giving
qualifying households the skills and resources needed to experience
the full benefits of connectivity.
As part of its ongoing commitment to championing digital
inclusion for underserved communities, Dell Technologies donates
Dell OptiPlex computers and Dell monitors which feature integrated
audio and webcams to support virtual learning. At our currently
open CLCs, Overland-Tandberg, a leading global technology and IT
services company and a Black-owned company part of AT&T's
Supplier Diversity Initiative, provided the onsite configuration of
the computers.
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe
place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring
adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth
development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school
hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic
success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
More than 4,900 Clubs serve over 3.6 million young people through
Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in
cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the
country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth
Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls
Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.
*About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at
AT&T
We're committed to advancing education, creating
opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. As
part of our companywide $2 billion
commitment from 2021 to 2023 to address the digital divide, we
launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and
technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help
today's learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since
2008, we've committed to programs that help millions of students
across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in
underserved communities.
About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors,
plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect in meaningful ways
every day. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G
wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate
to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc.
(NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn
more at investors.att.com.
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Intellectual Property.
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