The next generation of Boston’s talent pipeline, meet the next generation of connectivity. New England’s first AT&T Connected Learning Center has landed in Southie at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s (BGCB) Edgerley Family Club, customized by and for the teens of their Ready to Work program.
The region’s inaugural center, supported by a $100,000 AT&T contribution to the BGCB, will provide access to valuable digital resources. Inside the center, neighborhood students will be able to take advantage of free access to computers stations, Wi-Fi, a smart screen for lessons and teleconferencing, a podcast and music production studio, 3D printer and more.
In fact, K-12 students of will now have access to engaging and entertaining content and learning activities through The Achievery, the free online learning platform created by AT&T. Also, the center will offer free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association.
In addition to offering education-based resources, the center will also support academic and workforce readiness for students pursuing career and college goals by serving as the Ready to Work headquarters for the more than 100 teens participating club-wide in the program. No more filling out applications on phones, the resources at the center are aimed at helping these teens thrive in digital school and job environments, and succeed in college, career and whatever comes next.
“Our youth members are the future of Boston, Chelsea, and the Commonwealth, and this investment in our young people’s futures is a tremendous example of how Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston continues to partner with organizations to be change agents in our communities,” said Robert Lewis Jr., Nicholas President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. “Thank you, AT&T, for providing equal access and closing opportunity gaps so that the youth of today are equipped with the skills necessary to be leaders in Massachusetts tomorrow.”
Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll attended the launch event and visited with the Ready to Work teens at the Connected Learning Center.
“The incredible teens in the Ready to Work program are the future of our Massachusetts economy and workforce. The Connected Learning Center will make sure that young people have access to the digital tools they need to succeed and will help us close the digital divide,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll.
“I’m grateful to AT&T and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston for their leadership that will make a positive impact on the lives of so many young people and our state as a whole.”
This new center is the latest in AT&T’s longstanding efforts with the BGCB. In 2023, AT&T hosted a career fair for teens who participated in the Ready to Work program, during which the participants were surprised with 250 free laptops, funded by AT&T.
AT&T launched this Connected Learning Center as part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to the 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.
In addition to Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn and State Representative David Biele attended the launch event and we thank them all for supporting the kids at BGCB.
At AT&T, we’re grateful for the opportunity to work with these remarkable kids, and for the life-changing work done by Robert Lewis and everyone at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. We share their belief that every student deserves an opportunity to make their dreams a reality. And we have been working to help bring the right resources and the right technology to the right places, so that students can achieve their goals.
Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston directly reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve.
