AT&T Supports South Bend and Mishawaka Area Families and Nonprofit Organizations
Partnership With Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Connects Low-Income Residents With In-Home Technology Tools
South Bend, Indiana, December 12, 2007
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County to bring technology resources to more than 20 low-income South Bend and Mishawaka families, including nearly 60 children. In addition, the AT&T Foundation — the philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. — announced that it has awarded a $12,500 AT&T Excelerator grant to Make a Difference Michiana, Inc. for the development of a social networking and interactive online tool.
Through a collaboration with One Economy Corp., Habitat for Humanity affiliates and regional low-income housing providers, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation are delivering technology packages, including high speed Internet access, to 50,000 low-income families across the country by 2009.
Participating South Bend and Mishawaka Habitat for Humanity households will receive two years of AT&T DSL broadband Internet donated by the company. Families will also receive a subsidized technology package that includes a computer and desktop software. The program will also provide local families with technology training.
"We are excited to partner with AT&T and provide our homeowners and their families with the opportunity to have more access to the world through technology," said David Hatch, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County. "Aside from the benefits in education for the students of these families, everyone in the home will be able to access information and increase their ability to communicate through technology."
The AT&T/One Economy program is designed to help families access information about financial services, education, jobs and health care. Through a home computer and AT&T Internet service, students can access homework help and online learning resources or research college and scholarship opportunities — and parents can have access to community and career resources online.
"Having the technology at home is a great asset to my children. We don't have to plan special trips to the library for book reports anymore," said Melva Maefield, local Habitat homeowner. "It is so convenient to have this technology in our home, and we thank all of the organizations for providing us with the tools we need to make our children better students."
"By providing access to technology, we open new doors for area residents," said Rep. David Niezgodski. "I'm very pleased to see so many organizations coming together to improve the quality of life in our communities."
"AT&T is committed to helping the communities we serve by creating new opportunities to access technology," said George S. Fleetwood, president, AT&T Indiana. "We commend our partner organizations for their efforts, and we look forward to watching these local families benefit from having access to the Internet in their homes."
One Economy Corp., a global nonprofit organization dedicated to maximizing the potential of technology for low-income families, is working with local organizations such as the Habitat of Humanity of St. Joseph County to equip households with an in-kind donation of Internet access and a discounted technology package, which includes a computer and desktop software. Other partners who have joined the program are Microsoft, Dell, Siemens, and Intel.
Make a Difference Michiana Receives AT&T Excelerator grant
In addition to the Habitat partnership, AT&T also highlighted a $12,500 AT&T Excelerator grant for Make a Difference Michiana (MDM) Inc. to support the creation of a social networking and interactive Web site. The mission of the organization is to connect the resources of the community with the nonprofit sector, and this grant enables the organization to do just that.
"This social networking Web site for local businesses, universities and service clubs will allow each to electronically recruit volunteers, e-fundraise and hold donation drives for organizations that they support," said Andrew Lynn, programming director at Make a Difference Michiana. "As a result, this site will more effectively connect the resources of the community. This wouldn't be possible without the support of companies such as AT&T."
Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants — totaling more than $47.8 million — to organizations across the country. In 2007, 680 regional and local nonprofit organizations nationwide have benefited from nearly $9 million through the competitive program. This year, the AT&T Foundation expanded the Excelerator grant program for the first time to include AT&T Southeast's nine-state service area.
The AT&T Excelerator program provides technology access to organizations working to strengthen underserved communities. Helping nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach, AT&T Excelerator grants also place technology tools in the hands of the underserved populations that the nonprofits work with in order to provide resources such as education programs, Internet access, computer training and job-skills development.
In 2006, AT&T Inc. and the AT&T Foundation contributed more than $101 million to nonprofit organizations across the country. With its strong giving record, the AT&T Foundation ranks among the most generous corporate foundations in the United States.
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About Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County
Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County has been building low-cost, quality affordable housing in partnership with low-income families in St. Joseph County, Indiana, since 1986, and has built 104 homes. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County offers low-income families of the local community a chance to achieve homeownership. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
About One Economy Corporation
One Economy Corporation is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people, giving them valuable tools for building better lives and entering the economic mainstream. We help bring broadband into the homes of low-income people, employ youth to train their community members to use technology effectively, and provide socially responsible media properties that offer a wealth of information on education, jobs, health care and other vital issues. For more information, visit www.one-economy.com.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2006, AT&T contributed more than $101 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., combine more than $1.8 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
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