AT&T opened a new Connected Learning Center inside the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta to provide internet access and high-quality educational tools to residents who encounter barriers to online participation. In addition, AT&T made a $50,000 contribution to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) for programming support.
As part of the event, AT&T distributed 200 free laptops and backpacks to students and families served by BGCMA.
“For youth to succeed in today’s world, access to technology and high-speed internet is essential. This collaboration with AT&T and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is a significant step towards achieving digital equity in our community and will empower Atlanta youth to reach their potential,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. ” With this new AT&T Connected Learning Center at the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club, our youth have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the digital age.”
This Connected Learning Center is the fourth in Atlanta and the fifth in Georgia. It offers free access to digital resources, including high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi and Dell computers. It also provides educational resources such as The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T, and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association. Tutoring and mentoring are also provided by AT&T employees and community leaders.
AT&T and Boys & Girls Clubs of America share a common mission to uplift and support communities across the nation, including many kids and families in under-resourced areas.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, our mission is to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments,” said BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan. “The new AT&T Connected Learning Center at our John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club is a critical step in fulfilling this mission. By bridging the digital divide, we ensure that our youth have the essential tools and resources to thrive in today’s digital world. This collaboration with AT&T highlights our shared dedication to fostering digital equity and expanding opportunities for every child. We are deeply grateful for AT&T’s generous support and the profound impact it will have on the children and families we serve.”
AT&T launched this Connected Learning Center as part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to address the digital divide through investments in internet accessibility, affordability and the safe adoption of technology. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
AT&T opens these centers within local nonprofit organizations that are already adept at supporting underserved populations within their community, including some of our nation’s most vulnerable students and families. The company plans to offer more than 50 locations by mid-2024.
As part of their commitment to digital inclusion, Dell Technologies has donated Dell OptiPlex computers with integrated audio and webcams. World Wide Technology, a leading minority supplier of IT services, is handling configuration and installation.
“Connectivity is the foundation of a thriving community, and AT&T’s investment in the Connected Learning Center at John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta directly reflects our commitment to helping bridge the digital divide and making an impact in the communities we serve,” said Venessa Harrison, President, AT&T Southeast Coastal States. “We are proud to collaborate with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta to open this Connected Learning Center and to provide Atlanta youth with the laptops that will equip them with the digital tools they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
View event recap: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/HGFwoG6BWg8gXda8/