AT&T, Compudopt donate 650 laptops to Illinois Boys & Girls Clubs
AT&T and Compudopt are providing Boys & Girls Clubs with 650 refurbished laptops this week to distribute to Illinois residents in need. It’s all part of AT&T’s “Illinois Connectivity Week” with Boys & Girls Clubs in the state June 23-27.
The computers, funded by an AT&T contribution, are being given to students and families served by including Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois, Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois, and Boys & Girls Club of Lake County.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, we see firsthand how access to a computer can open up a world of opportunity for a young person, like completing homework, applying for college or exploring their passions,” said Susanna Wickham, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “Thanks to this generous support from AT&T and Compudopt, hundreds of young people and their families will be better equipped to learn and grow.”
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, millions nationwide still don’t have access to the internet or connected devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. This includes distributing more than 5,000 computers and devices to students and their families across Illinois since 2021.
“We are incredibly grateful to AT&T for their continued partnership and generous donation of 150 laptops to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois,” said Tiffany Mathis Posey, CEO & Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois. “In today’s world, access to technology is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Many of the families and youth we serve face barriers to reliable technology, which can limit educational opportunities, communication, and the development of critical digital skills. This donation ensures our members can stay connected, complete schoolwork, and build the tech-savvy confidence they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
“We are grateful to AT&T and Compudopt for this opportunity to provide devices for the club kids we serve,” said Cathy Russell, CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Illinois. “Thanks to community partnerships like this, our club members have access to resources that put them on a path to succeed in their educational and future goals.
“We strive to unlock the potential of the kids we serve every day in order to provide them opportunities for their best future,” said Germain Castellanos, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Lake County. “A computer is an excellent tool to support that, and we’re grateful to AT&T and Compudopt for this support.”
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with Boys & Girls Clubs to help connect Illinois students and families to greater possibilities,” said Eileen Mitchell, President, AT&T Midwest States. “We are thrilled to provide these resources to those who need them most, because connecting changes everything.”
Learn more at sustainability.att.com/cr/bridging-digital-divide.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Serving Chicago families since 1902, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago uses a comprehensive blend of mentoring and programming to provide youth ages 5 to 20+ the tools they need to become well-rounded and successful adults. Filling the out-of-school hours, which can be the most dangerous for young people, BGCC offers academic, social, and leadership activities for students in some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. Youth are matched with professional adult mentors, giving kids a safe place to learn, grow, and succeed. Learn more at bgcc.org.
About Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois
The mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. We are positioned to serve more than 2,000 youth at our Central Unit and 21 elementary and middle schools covering two counties (Sangamon & Morgan). BGCCIL provides character building activities and academic programs designed to deliver measurable outcomes and a safe environment with caring adults. For additional information, visit bgccil.org.
About Boys & Girls Club of Lake County
Boys & Girls Club of Lake County (BGCLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving youth from kindergarten to graduation of high school in Lake County, IL at no cost to families. We currently operate across 10 sites in Waukegan, North Chicago and Gurnee. Founded in 2000, our mission is to inspire all young people to fulfill their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The programming focuses on four Pillars: Academic Success, Health & Wellbeing, Character & Leadership, and Life & Workforce Readiness to help build a well-rounded individual. As a part of the Boys & Girls Club of America National Movement, it implements evidence-based programming that is developed to meet the needs of our local club members and reflect best practices in our field. BGCLC also develops our own localized programming to ensure that our organization is responsive to and a reflection of our local community. Learn more at www.bgclc.org.