FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2015
AT&T Donates $10,000 to Goodwill® for Digital Inclusion
Telecommunications leader presents check at job training graduation ceremony
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (December 18, 2015) – AT&T donated $10,000 today to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont as part of the corporation’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in the region. The contribution funds the purchasing of laptops for eligible students enrolled in Goodwill University, as well as the offering of two cybersecurity classes at Goodwill’s job resource centers in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties, where AT&T provides digital services. The check was presented during a ceremonial graduation for 31 students who excelled in completing Goodwill University’s six- and seven-week-long occupational skills training courses in the in-demand industries of banking & customer service, hospitality & tourism, and construction skills.
Goodwill’s mission seeks to eliminate barriers to employment such as lack of education, experience or skills and criminal backgrounds by providing job training and employment services free of charge for individuals in the community. Many individuals who seek Goodwill’s services lack basic access to technology, as well as the knowledge to leverage technology to improve their quality of life.
“The opportunities for digital inclusion are limited for people in poverty,” said Dr. Dana McDonald, Director of Goodwill University. “From searching for a job, personal banking, participating in your child’s school, to securing housing, all of these activities require some form of transaction via technology. We are grateful for AT&T’s generous contribution to help us close this divide.”
AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, or address community needs. The company’s signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, drives innovation in education – through technology, social innovation and relationships – to ensure all students have the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Through Aspire, the company has passed the $250 million mark on its plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.
“At AT&T, we not only believe in using the power of our network to build a better tomorrow, but we are committed to helping deliver the educational opportunities that make a lasting difference for students, their families and their communities,” said Venessa Harrison, President of AT&T North Carolina. “We understand that using computers and other technology wisely and safely is vital in today’s globally connected world. We are excited about the work being done through this program and appreciate the opportunity to support these students as they pursue their dreams.”
The gifting of laptops for 10 graduating students was announced following the awarding of certificates at the ceremony, held at Goodwill’s Career Development Center in Charlotte, and met with surprise for the deserving individuals.
“I can’t thank Goodwill enough for the opportunity to take this class and be the best me that I can be,” said Veronica Beaupin, graduate of the banking & customer service skills training course within Goodwill University. “This laptop is going to open up a lot of doors for me. I didn’t have a laptop, but now I have one, so I can go online and fill out as many job applications as I want to.”
Proceeds from the sale of donations in Goodwill retail stores support job training and employment services such as Goodwill University for unemployed and underemployed individuals as they upgrade their skills to enter the competitive workforce. Each week, 250 people access Goodwill’s employment and basic needs resources. For more information about Goodwill University and other programs, visit www.goodwillsp.org.
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About Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Goodwill has been serving individuals and families in the Southern Piedmont region of North and South Carolina for 50 years. Goodwill operates 22 retail stores and has more than 50 donation sites in the region. Proceeds from the sale of donated goods fund job training and employment services for individuals facing barriers to employment such as lack of skills, experience or education and criminal backgrounds. In 2014, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont provided employment services free of charge to more than 13,000 individuals thanks to donations and purchases from the community. For more information, visit www.goodwillsp.org.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed Internet and voice services. We’re the world’s largest provider of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. In the U.S., our wireless network has the nation’s strongest 4G LTE signal and most reliable 4G LTE. We offer the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider*. And we help businesses worldwide serve their customers better with our mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com . Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
Media Contact
Molly Thompson | PR & Social Media Manager | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont | Phone: (704) 332-0262 | Email: molly.thompson@goodwillsp.org
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