AT&T and Jobs for America's Graduates to Work Together to Help Kids Succeed
Education Leaders Brought Together on Capitol Hill to Discuss Achievement Gap for At-Risk Minority Youth
Washington, District of Columbia, September 23, 2008
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a $500,000 contribution to Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), a nonprofit youth development program. The announcement comes as key policymakers and education leaders convene on Capitol Hill to discuss the achievement gap in education and employment outcomes for at-risk minority youth.
The thought leader symposium will take place at the Columbus Club at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23. The event will be hosted by JAG and sponsored in part by the AT&T contribution, and it will include key attendees such as U.S. Rep. George Miller, who is chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee; National Urban League President Marc Morial; and Maine Gov. John Baldacci, among many others.
"We are here today to look at proven solutions for closing the achievement gap that exists throughout our education system," said Baldacci, who is also chairman of JAG's board of directors. "The outstanding work being done by groups such as JAG and the AT&T Foundation to address this issue is invaluable, as there is much to be done."
Ken Smith, president of JAG, said: "Each day, 7,000 young people drop out of school, and a disproportionate number of those are minority youth. This is one of the great issues facing America today, which is why we are committed to bringing attention to this overlooked crisis and continuing our work of over 28 years with at-risk students to address it. Generous funding, such as that from AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, assists us greatly in our efforts."
This $500,000 contribution from AT&T, plus another seven AT&T Foundation grants to JAG state affiliates that total nearly $1.5 million, are all part of the greater $100 million education initiative of AT&T and the AT&T Foundation — AT&T Aspire. The four-year initiative includes grants to schools and nonprofits, a companywide job shadowing program, funding for 100 community dropout prevention summits organized by America's Promise Alliance and the commissioning of major national research.
"Organizations such as JAG are playing a key role in preparing our young people for a competitive global workforce and for a fulfilling life," said Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president of External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T, a member of the JAG board of directors and a presenter at the thought leader symposium. "We are proud to support their efforts to ensure our children succeed in school and in life."
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives, which is why in April 2008, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation launched Aspire, a $100 million high school success and workforce readiness initiative. AT&T Aspire is the company's largest philanthropic commitment ever — and one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success and workforce readiness.
For more information about the AT&T Aspire initiative, please visit www.att.com/education-news.
| FIND MORE INFORMATION ONLINE | |
| Web Sites: | Related Media Kits: |
|---|---|
| Related News Releases: | Related Fact Sheets: |
About Jobs for America's Graduates
Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) is a non-profit organization and youth development program dedicated to helping at-risk youth graduate from high school and make successful transitions to postsecondary education and meaningful employment. JAG has served over 600,000 youth since its inception in 1980 and is currently helping 45,000 young people in 800 high schools, middle schools, community colleges and other locations in 30 states to achieve academic, career and life success. For more information, visit www.jag.org.
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 2007, AT&T contributed more than $164 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than $1.9 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. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
© 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.
Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.
