Northern New Jersey Organizations Receiving Free Hotspots, Internet Service

AT&T Blog Team
June 16, 2021
Broadband Access and Affordability

Northern New Jersey Organizations Receiving Free Hotspots, Internet Service

AT&T and leading nonprofit Connected Nation are continuing work to put the connectivity solutions vital to education into the hands of those who need it most. As part of this initiative, Connected Nation selected Hoboken-based Computers 4 People to identify and deliver hotspots to organizations regionwide. In addition to the hotpots, individuals will receive free AT&T internet connectivity for one year.  Computers 4 People received 50 hotspots. Ten constituents of the York Street Project in Jersey City each received a device during a special event. Computers 4 People, whose mission is to refurbish used computers and donate them to individuals and organizations in under-resourced communities, is one of more than 100 organizations and school districts nationwide whose constituents will benefit from a $10 million commitment first announced last year to provide free internet subscriptions and wireless hotspots to 35,000 vulnerable students across the country. 1

Computers 4 People selected the following organizations in New Jersey to receive hotspots and service:

  • Haven Adolescent Respite Center (Jersey City)
  • Triangle Park Community Center (Jersey City)
  • The Lighthouse JS (Jersey City)
  • Welcome Home Refugees JS (Jersey City)
  • True Mentors (Hoboken)
  • Hoboken Housing Authority (Hoboken)
  • Community Lifestyle (Hoboken)
  • AIRO (Newark, NJ)
  • Refugees Assistance Partners NJ (Scotch Plains, NJ)

An estimated 17 million K-12 students nationwide currently lack access to the connectivity and devices required for successful online learning. While this homework gap is not new, the pandemic heightened the challenges — most acutely in rural and under-resourced neighborhoods, where the effects disproportionately impact 1 in 3 students of color, as well as students with disabilities, and roughly 10 percent of all public school teachers. Whether students are learning remotely or in the classroom, access to affordable high-speed internet and devices is essential for successful learning outcomes. This support of students in New Jersey is part of AT&T Connected Learning, our multi-year commitment to help stem the tide of learning loss, narrow the homework gap, and create compelling educational content. What they’re saying: New Jersey State Assemblyman Raj Mukherji “The global pandemic has elevated to a new level the importance of connectivity for education, healthcare, commerce, and almost all aspects of our lives. I applaud Computers 4 People for all they’re doing to equip our communities and support our vulnerable neighbors in getting online. Special thanks to Connected Nation and AT&T for launching this program.” Dylan Zajac, Founder and Executive Director, Computers 4 People “This program fits right in with our mission and helps close the digital divide. Our constituents will not only receive donated computers from us but also have free Internet access from Connected Nation and AT&T. I’m proud to be serving these communities and working with Connected Nation and AT&T.” Arvind Swamy, Regional Director, AT&T External Affairs-New Jersey “Dylan and his team are doing great things in Northern New Jersey.  Thanks to Computers 4 People, at risk students and other underserved individuals will be better connected, which will help close the homework and opportunity gap.” Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, Connected Nation “What makes this program so critical is that it seeks to help students who have been disproportionately disconnected from formal learning opportunities due to COVID-19. The investment being made through the AT&T K-12 homework gap program will not only allow these kids to fully participate in remote learning now, but also to catch up on learning lost during the pandemic. We must all work together to minimize and mitigate the impact that the pandemic has had on our must vulnerable youth.” AT&T is expanding wireless affordability and flexibility for all schools in its service with unlimited wireless data plans that include content filtering services to support online safety protocols.  Learn more about the offer here or visit www.att.com/closethegap

1 Selected recipients are required to agree to certain terms before receiving Internet subscriptions and wireless hotspots.

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