What’s the news? Two, Alexandra, VA- based nonprofits received contributions from AT&T to help boost the digital literacy and learning skills of children and adults along the Route 1 Corridor in Fairfax County.
Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services (GSH) received $24,000 for a program that provides low-income high school students and adults ages 16-24 with technology and digital skills training in basic skills like email drafting, word processing, resume building, job searches, and videoconferencing to enhance their employment opportunities.
United Community received $25,000 to support a digital learning program that will use The Achievery platform to provide underserved students with lessons in internet safety, along with and grade-level instruction modules to help them develop and maintain critical skills in math and reading comprehension.
The Achievery is 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?
These contributions are part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative, created as part of our companywide, $2 billion commitment from 2021- 2023, to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.
What are people saying?
“Too often, lower income workers along the Richmond Highway corridor have found themselves left out of better employment opportunities because they have not had the time or resources to acquire the critical digital skills they need,” said Good Shepherd Housing’s Interim Executive Director Candice Bennett. “But today, thanks to support from AT&T, our clients will be better prepared to be successful in today’s ever-changing work environment.”
“AT&T’s support has touched the lives of hundreds of children and families across our programs. United Community is so grateful for AT&T’s support for our mission and commitment to creating digital equity and access to high-quality learning opportunities for the children we serve. We know that together, we can inspire and empower students to embrace technology and close the digital divide in our communities. Thank you, AT&T!” – Bryant Rice, Interim President & CEO, United Community
“I have personally seen how United Community and Good Shepherd Housing have helped bridge gaps in education, workforce development, and resources in my district. AT&T’s grant to support these organizations furthers their ability to impact those who might not otherwise have access to technology and digital resources. I thank AT&T for their commitment to the Richmond Highway Corridor of Fairfax County” – Delegate Paul Krizek
“United Community and Good Shepherd Housing play important roles in helping children and adults along the Route 1 Corridor learn the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. These organizations have a strong record of success supporting and lifting up underserved communities in Fairfax County, and that’s why we support their work.” – Garrett McGuire, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T, Virginia
For more information about AT&T in Virginia, visit Virginia.att.com
About GSH
The mission of Good Shepherd Housing (GSH) is to reduce homelessness, increase community support, and promote self-sufficiency.
About United Community
United Community is an over 50-year-old nonprofit offering an array of human services that lifts families in Fairfax County out of poverty. We engage community voice and family participation to break the cycle of generational poverty. Our mission is to build thriving communities and create equitable opportunities by providing supportive services and advancing community driven solutions.
Our vision is to end multigenerational poverty.
*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- 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.
