What’s the news? AT&T is opening a new Connected Learning Center® inside OYC Miami, formerly named the Overtown Youth Center, in Miami to provide internet access and education tools to those who face connectivity barriers holding them back from participating in our digital world. In addition, AT&T has made a $50,000 contribution to OYC Miami for additional support of the Connected Learning Center.
This is the 26th Connected Learning Center that AT&T has opened, with plans to reach a total of more than 50 centers across the U.S. by mid-2024. This AT&T Connected Learning Center® is part of a broader ecosystem of offerings designed to meet community needs and address the digital divide. The goal of the centers is to help connect more students and families through free access to the internet and computers, as well as educational resources that teach the skills needed to use it safely and responsibly.
Why is this important? In Miami, it’s estimated that more than 74,400 K-12 students1 don’t have access to the internet or computers at home to benefit from the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
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.
How AT&T will make it happen
The centers are designed to help tackle the digital divide by providing free access to a range of digital resources for students and families all under one roof, including: high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi, computers, education resources, and tutoring and mentoring from AT&T employees and other community leaders.
The free educational resources within the center will provide students with engaging content and activities to support learning outside the classroom and help parents and caregivers build skills and confidence using technology. These include The Achievery, a free digital learning platform created by AT&T, as well as free digital literacy courses and workshops created with the Public Library Association.
As part of its ongoing commitment to championing digital inclusion for underserved communities, Dell Technologies donated Dell OptiPlex computers which feature integrated audio and webcams to support digital learning. Additionally, World Wide Technology, a Black-owned company and the largest minority supplier of IT services globally, is providing configuration and installation services.
The new center is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to address the digital divide through investments in internet accessibility, affordability and the safe adoption of technology.
What are people saying?
“AT&T’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and expanding digital inclusion allows us to empower residents with connectivity, creating new opportunities for growth, education, and prosperity in the heart of this vibrant community,” said Joe York, president, AT&T Gulf States. “A commitment that is realized in today’s launch of the Connected Learning Center in Overtown by providing the digital tools and educational resources that give Miamians the opportunity to succeed today and tomorrow.”
“We believe that every person deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in the digital world,” said Tina Brown, OYC Miami CEO. “Thanks to AT&T the Connected Learning Center will provide resources to empower our underserved community, by offering the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship to thrive in the digital age.”
OYC Miami provides impactful programs and services to youth, families and adults, all of whom live in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in South Florida. Through its comprehensive model of educational, health, enrichment and exposure opportunities, the Center helps to foster hope, promote lifelong learning, guide youth development, and strengthen family wellness.
We offer affordable internet options
AT&T is committed to connecting more Americans to reliable, high-quality broadband internet in several ways, including expanding and upgrading our network and participating in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP provides eligible households with a benefit of up to $30 a month (up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands) to reduce the cost of broadband service and can be applied to AT&T Fiber or Access from AT&T, which provides internet speeds of up to 100Mbps, where available, for $0. After confirming ACP eligibility, those who qualify can go to att.com/getacp or call us at 866-986-0963 to sign up for service. Have your ACP application ID handy.
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
About OYC Miami
OYC Miami was founded in 2003 as the Overtown Youth Center, by NBA Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning and real estate developer Martin Z. Margulies. For 20 years, OYC Miami has continuously provided holistic programming to erase the generational cycles of poverty by providing the necessary resources to level the playing field. Located in the Heart of Overtown in Miami, Florida, OYC Miami has been committed to providing a safe-haven for persons in our community, offering educational, cultural, and social programs that foster personal growth and development. By empowering individuals with essential skills and opportunities, OYC Miami is leveling the playing field and filling socioeconomic, health, educational and financial gaps that plague those in underserved areas.
*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.
