What’s the news?
The Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas received a $25,000 contribution from AT&T to support the RISE Digital Literacy Mobile Lab that will provide low-income first through eighth graders and their families located in Union and Ouachita Counties with basic computer literacy training, including how to use the internet; online safety; and Microsoft Word.
The students also will have access to The Achievery, a free online learning platform created by AT&T to provide K-12 students with engaging and entertaining content paired with learning activities for everywhere today’s connected students learn.
Why is this important?
This contribution is part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative, created as part of our companywide commitment to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.
What are people saying?
“We need to work together to help improve digital literacy skills in El Dorado and throughout South Central Arkansas. It’s critically important to our future success and to the strength of our region. I appreciate that AT&T and the Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas are working together to achieve these goals,” said Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Matthew J. Shepherd.
“Our mission is to assist adults and families with becoming self-sufficient, employable, and able to move on to higher levels of education. Thanks to AT&T, we’ll be able to reach more people through our RISE Digital Literacy Mobile Lab and help them learn the skills they need at school, on the job and in life,” said Linda Nelson, Executive Director of Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas.
“The Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas plays an important role in helping children in El Dorado and Camden learn the skills and tools they need to thrive in the digital economy. The coalition has a strong record of success supporting and lifting up young people in South Central Arkansas communities, and that’s why we support their work,” said Lisa Lake, regional director, AT&T External Affairs.
For more information about AT&T in Arkansas, visit Arkansas.att.com.
About the Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas
The organization’s mission is to assist adults and families with becoming self-sufficient, employable, and able to move on to higher levels of education. The organization recruits and trains volunteers and tutors; manages direct tutoring for adults and families; and promotes and advocates literacy in four south central Arkansas counties. Literacy Coalition has been a proud AmeriCorps host site since 2009.
*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 commitment 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.
