AT&T Awards NPower $900K to Advance Digital Literacy and Expand Community Tech Support Programs
The collaboration enables NPower students to learn technology basics, online safety and responsible digital citizenship
NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NPower, a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding economic mobility through tech careers for young adults and military-connected individuals from low-income communities, has been awarded a $900,000 contribution from AT&T to support its digital literacy initiatives and digital navigator services. The programs are focused on providing 3,000 NPower students across the US with free digital literacy workshops, tech training and essential resources to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in today's digital economy.
A key component of the contribution will support NPower's Civic Tech Lab, a new digital hub where IT-trained NPower students will provide tech support to individuals in their communities. Through this initiative, students will assist individuals with virtual platform training, computer and device troubleshooting, and digital learning resources including AT&T's ScreenReadyⓇ platform. They will also serve as referral partners to NPower's Community Help Desk connecting their communities to NPower's ongoing tech support hubs and workshops while gaining workforce readiness skills.
"We highly value AT&T's collaboration and our shared vision to help individuals - students, seniors, small business owners and many others -- navigate technology intelligently, effectively, and responsibly," said Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO, NPower. "With their support, we are building on the success of our Community Help Desk model and empowering more digitally savvy NPower graduates to share their skills and knowledge with others in their community, a win-win for all."
As part of the new investment, NPower will integrate AT&T's online digital literacy courses into their Tech Fundamentals curriculum, which includes fundamental digital literacy, online safety, and responsible digital citizenship. The goal is to equip students with the essential skills needed to position them for success in their careers and as responsible digital citizens in their communities.
"AT&T is deeply committed to narrowing the digital divide and empowering individuals with the skills needed to thrive in a digital world," said Mylayna Albright, AVP of Corporate Responsibility, AT&T. "By supporting NPower's innovative programs, we are investing in the future of our communities, enabling people to gain essential digital literacy skills and, in turn, helping them to support others. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to fostering digital inclusion and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in the digital economy."
AT&T's latest contribution follows a $1.8 million investment in 2022, which enabled NPower to establish Community Help Desks in St. Louis and Dallas. Through the Community Help Desk and a 6-month apprenticeship, students gain workforce readiness skills, work toward certifications like Zendesk Omni-Channel, and achieve the Department of Labor IT Generalist Apprentice designation. This $900k investment is the second grant made by AT&T to advance digital literacy and inclusion in NPower's programming nationwide, building upon the Community Help Desk's goal of providing tech support to communities.
To learn more about NPower's Tech Fundamentals program, visit https://www.npower.org/apply/tech-fundamentals/.
About NPower
NPower is a national nonprofit that provides free tech training, support services, and job placement assistance to young adults and military-connected individuals from low-income communities. Since their founding in 2000, they've offered tech fundamentals and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 students in 13 cities. NPower's unique approach combines rigorous training, and trauma-informed support services, addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. Their strength is seeing students of non-traditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. The organization empowers students to drive change in their own lives and communities. As NPower expands to serve 15,000 students annually by 2030, they're ensuring they create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us. To learn more about NPower, visit http://www.npower.org.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
At AT&T, our corporate responsibility work is dedicated to bridging the digital divide across the country. We are committed to providing people of all ages and from every community with the essential resources they need to thrive in the digital era. For generations, we have supported programs that impact millions of individuals nationwide, and since 2021, we have committed $5 billion to initiatives that enhance connectivity, promote digital literacy, and improve access to high-speed internet. Our efforts particularly focus on uplifting underserved communities, including students, older adults, and those on tribal lands, ensuring everyone can participate in the digital world and benefit from its opportunities.
Media Contact: Hillary Ovalle
npower@finnpartners.com
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SOURCE NPower