The AT&T Foundation donates $215,000 to N.J schools in order to close the digital divide and promote student success. Additionally, the company collaborates with local nonprofits and libraries to provide computers and digital literacy programs.
The AT&T Foundation awarded $215,000 to organizations throughout the state in 2022 as part of AT&T's nationwide commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting student success.
Additionally, the business collaborates with state nonprofits and local libraries to provide digital literacy programs and used computers for students.
According to Joseph Divis, president of AT&T New Jersey, "the pandemic increased the challenges faced by students here in New Jersey and across the country."
"Underresourced neighborhoods were particularly hard hit, which is why we've partnered with organizations across the state who share our desire to aid New Jersey students in becoming successful in their academic, professional, and personal endeavors."
In an increasingly connected world, "AT&T and the AT&T Foundation's support of these programs will help New Jerseyans of all ages make up for learning lost during the pandemic and improve their digital literacy skills. Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Paterson) said, "We all have to work together on these issues, and I'm glad to see that AT&T has stepped in to help.
The following organizations have received grants from the AT&T Foundation:
- NPower (Jersey City): $25,000 to support the NPower NJ Tech Fundamentals program, which offers information technology training, professional development, wraparound social services, paid internships, and job placement to veterans, veterans' spouses, and young adults (ages 18 to 26) from underserved communities.
- Gateway Community Action Partnership (Bridgeton): $25,000 will help young people achieve and maintain academic success and personal well-being by providing them with access to technology, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and positive social interactions in a trusted, comfortable environment.
- Community Foundation of New Jersey (Newark): $30,000 to support the Newark Summer Youth Employment Program, a long-running, highly successful program that provides motivated Newark youth with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain workforce skills, financial literacy, career exposure, and coaching on a pathway to a sustainable career and financial stability.
- Boys & Girls Club Mercer County (Trenton): $25,000 will be used to support the after-school homework assistance and extracurricular educational programs for 800 K–8th grade students enrolled in the Boys & Girls Club afterschool program at 12 locations in Trenton and Ewing during the 2022–2023 academic year.
- New Jersey Community Development Corp. (Paterson): $25,000 to support the after-school tutoring program of New Jersey Community Development Corp., which will aid in bridging the digital divide for Paterson high school students.
- Boys & Girls Club Hudson County (Jersey City and Bayonne): $25,000 to support the Teen Tech Center, a program especially created to impart technological know-how, close the digital divide, and inspire young people in Jersey City and Bayonne to pursue STEM-related postsecondary education.
- JAG New Jersey (statewide) is supported by a grant from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation of $20,000 to help young people with promise graduate from high school and successfully transition to postsecondary education and fulfilling employment.
- Puerto Rican Action Board (New Brunswick): $15,000 to help students who might need more technological resources to handle the difficulties of doing schoolwork online.
- Hopeworks N Camden (Camden): $25,000 to support the Hopeworks program, which gives underserved community members access to the internet, food assistance, health assistance, housing assistance, and other resources.