December 1, 2020 (Hempstead, NY) – AT&T today announced a $15,000 contribution to United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild Hempstead program, which helps prepare young adults, ages 16-24, to find jobs and succeed in the workforce through educational, leadership and career training.
AT&T’s funding helps support students’ pathways to gaining their TASC high school equivalency diplomas and maintaining routes to meaningful employment. AT&T’s contribution also allowed YouthBuild of Hempstead to provide students from under-served populations with much needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
“Training for stable, good-paying jobs is critical to helping young people from low-income communities find upward mobility. AT&T is honored to support the United Way of Long Island's YouthBuild Hempstead program in its work to provide men and women on Long Island with the skills and credentials they need to advance their careers,” said Amy Kramer, President, New York, AT&T.
“The generous support from AT&T has allowed our YouthBuild Hempstead program to remain active during the pandemic. During this challenging time, students were able to receive the benefits of a Mental Toughness Bootcamp, which is a key component of the program providing students with a strong foundation on which to succeed,” said Jenette Adams, United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild Program Director.
"For young people, and especially for vulnerable youth, the COVID-19 crisis poses considerable risks in the fields of employment, mental health, and disposable income. United Way’s YouthBuild Hempstead program has been instrumental in helping young people in our community build a strong foundation for success in the job market and beyond. I’m immensely grateful to AT&T for their support, which has allowed this crucial program to continue serving our youth during the pandemic,” said New York State Senator Kevin Thomas.
YouthBuild Long Island provides its participants with the technical and life skills needed to begin entry-level jobs that will lead to mid-skills careers. Participants receive academic training to prepare them to pass the TASC exam for their high school equivalency diploma. They can then select a career pathway in construction, healthcare or manufacturing. Many YouthBuild graduates advance to additional trades training with United Way’s partner, Opportunities Long Island, where a significant portion of graduates have gained connections and moved on to apprenticeships and careers with local unions as ironworkers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters. Other YouthBuild alumni have gone on to succeed as nursing assistants, home health aides, licensed practical nurses and college graduates.
To learn about United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild or to register to participate visit www.unitedwayli.org/youthbuildli.
Nationally, AT&T has committed an additional $10 million this year to create economic opportunities and foster upward mobility for Black and underserved communities who face long-standing social inequities and higher unemployment, all of which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This commitment includes a collaboration with YouthBuild USA to inspire innovative ways to place young people, including justice-involved youth, into full-time employment. In addition, the company has created the AT&T Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund, a $10 million COVID-19 relief program launched to give parents, caregivers and teachers some tools they can use to educate students remotely.
AT&T’s support for the United Way of Long Island is also part of the company’s $600 million philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire – one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on school success and workforce readiness by creating new learning environments and education delivery systems to help students succeed and prepare them to take on 21st century careers.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit UnitedWayLI.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. We have a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. Our AT&T Aspire initiative uses innovation in education to drive student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $600 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality.
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