To support Illinois’ students as they transitioned into the new school year this September, we hosted AT&T Illinois Back to School Connectivity Month by working with Compudopt to distribute 1,500 free laptops to students at events across the state.
It was a magic month of connecting students and families.
Families told us amazing stories about how the laptop would help them:
- One Chicago high school senior will no longer need to borrow his mother’s work computer to complete his assignments.
- Another student planned to research the right law school and seek out scholarship opportunities.
- The mother of a student said she wanted to thank AT&T because we were “providing laptops to families who really need them.”
Supporting Students and Families Across Illinois
Across a dozen free laptop distribution events during AT&T Illinois Back to School Connectivity Month, we distributed free laptops to families in need with impactful non-profit organizations, including:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (Two locations)
- YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago (Four locations)
- Marillac St. Vincent Family Services (Chicago)
- United Way of Danville Area, Inc. (Danville)
- Prairie State College (Chicago Heights)
- Chicago State University (Chicago)
- Waukegan to College (Waukegan)
- Belleville YMCA (Belleville)
- Will County Center for Economic Development (Joliet)
- Don Moyers Boys & Girls Club (Champaign)
For students today, access to modern technology isn’t just beneficial, but fundamental to educational success and future career readiness.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, we see firsthand how access to a computer can open up a world of opportunity for a young person, like completing homework, applying for college or discovering new interests,” said Susanna Wickham, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “Thanks to this generous support from AT&T and Compudopt, hundreds of young people and their families will be better equipped to learn and grow.”
“Access to computers and the internet is essential for success in school and building a career,” said Adam Alonso, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “We are deeply grateful to AT&T for its generous donation of 400 laptops to the youth we serve across Chicago. This gift will have a lasting impact and open new opportunities in their lives.”
Addressing the Digital Divide
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, millions of Americans still lack access to the internet or the connected devices needed to fully participate in today’s digital world. As part of our initiative at AT&T, we are committed to working with community organizations to help close this gap and ensure that all Americans can participate in the modern world.
This effort is part of AT&T’s broader $5 billion commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. Since 2021, AT&T has distributed more than 6,500 computers and devices to students and their families across Illinois.
