How AT&T is Helping Bridge the Digital Divide in Los Angeles
AT&T to Open Three Connected Learning Centers in Los Angeles to Help Bridge the Digital Divide
New centers will help bridge the digital divide through greater connectivity, devices and digital learning resources for Los Angeles students and parents
As part of our $2 billion commitment to address the digital divide, AT&T* is opening three new Connected Learning Centers in Los Angeles to provide internet access and education tools to those who face connectivity barriers vital to their long-term success.
In California, it’s estimated that more than 1.3 million K-12 students1 don’t have internet at home. AT&T is extending our reach into the communities most affected by the digital divide, starting with the openings of AT&T Connected Learning Centers at Coalition for Responsible Community Development’s YouthSource Center, Salvadoran American Leadership & Education Fund (SALEF) and Vermont Slauson EDC Technology Training Center.
“The City of Los Angeles is committed to closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Angelenos have access to reliable internet service,” said City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, “AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers will provide new opportunities to students in Los Angeles who have struggled to stay connected during this pandemic.”
Each of the three Connected Learning Centers will provide the students and families within these Los Angeles organizations access to high-speed AT&T Fiber internet and Wi-Fi.
As part of its ongoing commitment to championing digital inclusion for underserved communities, Dell Technologies will donate Dell OptiPlex computers and Dell monitors which feature integrated audio and webcams to support virtual learning. Additionally, Overland-Tandberg, a leading global technology and IT services company, will lead the onsite configuration of the computers. The company, a Black-owned corporation, is part of AT&T’s $3 billion Supplier Diversity initiative. The students and families will also have access to education content from collaborators like Khan Academy and mentoring support from AT&T employees.
On December 14, AT&T will launch our first of three AT&T Connected Learning Centers in Los Angeles at Coalition for Responsible Community Development’s (CRCD) YouthSource Center. CRCD’s mission is to better sustain, coordinate and improve local planning, development and community services that address the needs of low-income and working-class residents and small businesses in South Los Angeles.
In all, we plan to open more than 20 centers across the country. Centers will be housed within local organizations that support underserved populations, including some of our nation’s most vulnerable students and families.
“Students in South Los Angeles deserve access to the internet connectivity that is mission-critical to receiving a high-quality education,” said Mark Wilson, president and chief executive officer, CRCD. “The AT&T Connected Learning Center will give the families we serve access to free internet service, computers, digital tools and educational content to help them participate in virtual learning, apply for jobs through our City of Los Angeles YouthSource Center, and set them up for success in the future.”
“We thank CRCD and AT&T for their work to help address the digital divide in South Los Angeles,” said City of Los Angeles Councilman Curren Price, "As technology becomes increasingly essential in our daily lives, it is imperative that our students have the digital tools to achieve their learning objectives and prepare for future careers."
“Our investment in these three AT&T Connected Learning Centers is a reflection of our commitment to help connect every family in California,” said Rhonda Johnson, president, AT&T California. “With these Connected Learning Centers, we will bring critical connectivity and digital resources to underserved students and families across Los Angeles.”
We are also building on our commitment to address the digital divide in Los Angeles by working with non-profit Connected Nation to distribute 400 free mobile hotspots and AT&T wireless internet service to at-risk students at the C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California. The organization is committed to supporting high-potential teens from under-resourced communities by inspiring them to pursue personal success, while preparing them for leadership roles in school, college, work and their communities.
We continue to help make broadband more affordable for millions of eligible households, including in Los Angeles. Families can sign up for discounted connectivity through the $10/month Access from AT&T broadband offering or can get temporary discounts on internet through AT&T’s participation in the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program.
Working closely with educators and government leaders, we can help connect communities and reimagine the future of schools. That’s why we are committed to providing comprehensive, agile and affordable solutions for Education Institutions, Libraries and Government entities to connect students, teachers, library patrons and underserved constituents. Since March 2020, AT&T has connected more than 600,000 students and teachers, across 50 states, in collaboration with departments of education, school districts, and higher education institutions.
In addition to our community investment in Los Angeles, we also continue to invest in bringing fiber and connectivity to this area. From 2018-2020, we expanded coverage and improved connectivity with a nearly $2.7 billion investment in our wireless and wireline networks in the greater Los Angeles region. In the state of California, AT&T Fiber covers more than 8 million fiber strand miles.
We currently offer fiber to over 15 million customer locations in more than 90 U.S. metros, and plan to increase our current fiber footprint to cover 30 million customer locations by year-end 2025.
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
1 Source: https://digitalbridgek12.org
2 Source: https://www.ppic.org/publication/achieving-digital-equity-for-californias-students/
