AT&T, Human I-T provide 150 Chromebooks and backpacks to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio for Athens County students and families

NELSONVILLE, Ohio – AT&T and Human I-T provided the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) 150 refurbished Chromebook computers and 150 new backpacks, which were distributed Friday at the Athens County Community Cares Resource Center in Nelsonville.

Funded by AT&T contributions, the computers and backpacks were given to Athens County students and families who were pre-selected by Athens County Job & Family Services and FAO.

“Ensuring our families have the necessary equipment to be successful is essential in the digital age,” said Jennifer L’Heureux, committee member for the Nelsonville Community Foundation, an FAO affiliate foundation partner. “We’re grateful to AT&T for helping ensure local students and families have access to tools that can help unlock their potential.”

In Ohio, it’s estimated that 11% of households 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 the AT&T Connected Learning^® 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 3,000 computers to students and their families across Ohio since 2021.

“AT&T is proud to collaborate with organizations like the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio to help close the digital equity gap in Athens County,” said Jan Bans, external affairs regional director, AT&T Ohio. “Access to connectivity is vital in helping to bridge the digital divide and we are glad we can provide these resources to those that need them most.”

Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.