AT&T is committed to creating economic opportunities and fostering upward mobility for underserved communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. As part of this commitment, AT&T is donating $150,000 through its Believe Twin CitiesSM initiative to five local organizations that share in our mission to create more opportunities and paths to success for traditionally underserved communities in the Twin Cities.
This donation is part of a $10 million commitment from AT&T to boost economic opportunities in underserved communities across the country.
“AT&T is proud to invest in these local organizations that are working to address these disparities.”
Paul Weirtz – President, AT&T Minnesota
“Many of our fellow citizens in the Twin Cities lack access to quality education, economic opportunity, homeownership and other attributes that develop wealth and build the middle class,” said Paul Weirtz, President of AT&T Minnesota. “AT&T is proud to invest in these local organizations that are working to address these disparities.”
The challenges facing underserved communities in the Twin Cities, including poverty and homelessness, have been exacerbated by high unemployment rates, the coronavirus pandemic, and social unrest around the country. Our hope is that our $150,000 in contributions will help alleviate some of these inequities.
AT&T has donated to the following organizations:
- Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ): A $50,000 AT&T contribution will support NAZ’s efforts to eradicate racial inequities and opportunity gaps that affect families who live in North Minneapolis. Programs and services supported include family wrap-around support, family and scholar achievement coaching, early childhood education, K-8 support activities, and parent empowerment and education. The mission of NAZ is to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in the Northside by helping low-income families put their children on a path to college.
- Urban League Twin Cities: A $25,000 contribution from AT&T will support the Urban League’s efforts to launch a Center for Social Justice in the Twin Cities. The focus of the Center will be to promote access to justice and rule of law, advance equity and build capacity within the African American community through civic engagement, community organizing, and public policy research and advocacy. For 94 years, the Urban League Twin Cities has been a relentless advocate for equity, justice and power for African descendants in Minnesota.
- Urban Roots: A $25,000 contribution from AT&T will support Urban Roots’ community development services and programs for underserved youth. For over 50 years, Urban Roots has provided educational and employment opportunities to teens and young adults on St. Paul’s east side to improve their health, job skills and career pathways while contributing to the community’s health and environment.
- Way to Grow: A $25,000 contribution from AT&T will support Way to Grow’s early childhood education programs that help meet the needs of isolated and under-resourced families in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Programs and services include providing weekly educational home virtual visits, helping parents create a learning environment at home, and connecting families to critical resources to meet basic needs. The mission of Way to Grow is to work closely with parents and communities to ensure children within the most isolated families are born healthy, stay healthy and are prepared for school.
- Minnesota Technology Foundation: A $25,000 contribution from AT&T will support the Minnesota Technology Foundation’s programs that introduce underserved youth to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professions. These programs include STEM scholarships for undergraduates, Tech Experience Tours for high school students, and after-school activities focused on math and science for underserved youth in the metro area.
AT&T has a long history of equality; participating in this struggle is a moral and business imperative – not just for AT&T but for all companies and for all communities and citizens.
Believe Twin Cities
AT&T leaders launched Believe Twin Cities in December 2019 with $100,000 in contributions to Twin Cities’ nonprofits to support homelessness services. In May, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation donated nearly $100,000 as part of Believe Twin Cities to help Minnesota residents experiencing homelessness or hunger amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Believe Twin Cities is an extension of AT&T Believes℠, a company-wide effort, localized to create positive change in our communities. AT&T Believes harnesses employee engagement, supports it with company resources, and joins with area organizations and non-profits to make an even bigger impact on local communities and society at large.
