On a perfect fall Saturday morning in Wichita, I had the privilege of joining Mayor Lily Wu and State Representative Susan Humphries for another meaningful event to help families get connected in today’s digital-first world.
We teamed up with Human-I-T and FosterAdopt Connect to distribute 150 refurbished laptops during the special event in Wichita.
This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. We are committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. In Kansas alone, we’ve distributed more than 600 refurbished computers to students and their families since 2021. And back in August, we gave out 125 refurbished laptops to families at FosterAdopt Connect’s Kansas City location.
Mayor Wu, who joined us after having participated in another local event earlier that morning, told us, “We’re working to ensure that Wichita remains a place for builders, thinkers and innovators,” she said. These laptops help “ensure youth have access to the technology and resources needed to prepare for success in our fast-changing world.”
Rep. Humphries, drawing from her experience in both the private sector and public service, emphasized the importance of supporting foster and adoptive families. She told us, “The collaboration between AT&T and FosterAdopt Connect is great for families, helping to mitigate at least some of these challenges and connecting them to the resources they need.”
Jayme Davis, branch director of FosterAdopt Connect in Wichita, added, “The laptops will unlock essential access to education, support services, and community resources, fostering healing and stability.”
On another Saturday a few weeks later, my colleague, Madeline Romious, was in Kansas City, where we teamed up with Compudopt and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to distribute 175 refurbished laptops to children and families in the Kansas City area who have limited access to technology. The computers, funded by an AT&T contribution, were distributed during a special event at the Providence Family YMCA.
Mark Hulet, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, said that through this program, “we’re increasing connectivity, building digital literacy, and opening pathways to education and employment.”
Bill Hutton, Chair, Wyandotte County YMCA Mission Board told us that the “laptops from AT&T and our great collaborators are a hand-up, not a handout for kids in KCK. This levels the playing field for our young students.”
You can check out media coverage of the event here.
We’re proud to continue working with organizations like FosterAdopt Connect, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and other organizations to help close the digital divide across Kansas. Whether through device distributions or infrastructure investments, we’re committed to providing the resources necessary to help close the digital divide in our state.
To learn more about our investments in Kansas, visit Kansas.att.com.
