Connecting Communities | July 2022
As part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment to help bridge the digital divide, the company opened the new AT&T Connected Learning Center at Marillac St. Vincent’s Foglia Family & Youth Center in East Garfield Park. This is the first AT&T Connected Learning Center launched in Chicago. The goal of this center is to encourage more families to get connected through free access to the internet, and to provide educational tools about the value of broadband and how to use it safely and effectively.
In addition to this first AT&T Connected Learning Center launched in Chicago, AT&T plans to open more than 20 centers across the country.
“Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at Marillac St. Vincent directly reflects our commitment to address the digital divide and make an impact in the communities we serve,” said AT&T Illinois President Eileen Mitchell. “Our goal is to create a dedicated education space for students and families to learn, work and find opportunity.”
A strong partnership between AT&T and MSV’s IT and Operations departments, along with CEO Peter Beale-DelVecchio’s leadership, were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.
“High speed internet and computer hardware are vital to the residents we serve in the community,” said Beale-DelVecchio. “In under-resourced areas, often just doing homework is a challenge. The AT&T Connected Learning Center at Marillac St. Vincent is important because of our commitment to serving this community with high-quality service and access to resources. This investment by AT&T provides infrastructure, supports our work, and increases connectivity in a west side Chicago neighborhood.”
Albert Richardson, Director of Youth Services at MSV, shared how the new Connected Learning Center will best serve and connect the Marillac St. Vincent Family.
“I am extremely grateful to AT&T for their donation and support with this new upgraded Computer Learning Center. It consists of 25 computer stations and gives the kids a great outlet for learning, collaborating, and studying. It is a tremendous upgrade from before with faster Wi-Fi, giving the community a place to study, spend their free time, do research, college and job prep for the older kids, and ultimately learn.
I am also excited for our whole community to use the lab from the staff, to alumni of our programs and seniors. The only thing missing right now is a computer lab instructor. We are looking for a new person who can supervise the space, as well as lead computer related classes and programs for our community. The lab is a wonderful gift, and it has been great to see our student start to use it, like our Hope Junior counselors and staff. And with any great gift, comes the responsibility of taking care of it and being positive stewards. It is a special opportunity for our students and community to respect and use it so future community members may as well.”
Watch the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Connected Learning Center.
Learn more about AT&T’s Philanthropy & Social Innovation at att.com/connectedlearning.
Interested to learn about Youth Programs within the Marillac St. Vincent Community?
Learn more about ways to donate, volunteer or work at MSV.