ATLANTA – June 6, 2023 – In today’s world, digital connectivity is a critical resource for youth and families, and it helps to support a healthy and thriving community. With support from AT&T, Westside residents will now have access to the digital tools they need to succeed.
To help narrow the digital divide in one historic Atlanta neighborhood, AT&T has awarded a $100,000 grant to Westside Future Fund (WFF) as part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative. This initiative includes a $2 billion commitment from 2021 to 2023 to help bridge the digital divide by promoting internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.
WFF, a place-based nonprofit serving five neighborhoods on the Historic Westside, will use the funds to provide digital devices to low-income families with children who are part of its signature program Home On the Westside. This program provides the opportunity for homeownership for people with key live, work, and learn connections to the community. In addition to providing digital devices, WFF will survey families living in WFF rental properties about their digital literacy needs and offer training with a focus on computer and technology skills. WFF currently provides free connectivity for 78 multifamily units in its portfolio.
“Through our work at WFF, we see each day that access to affordable housing is critical to ensuring the continued health and access to opportunity for families,” said WFF President & CEO John Ahmann. “We’re grateful to AT&T for providing us with key funding support that helps us further connect our communities and continue to deliver on our mission to residents living on the Historic Westside.”
WFF’s service footprint on the Historic Westside includes Vine City, English Avenue, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center and Just Us. Prior to entering Home on the Westside, families are housing-unstable, and at risk of homelessness or displacement. WFF advances a compassionate approach to neighborhood revitalization that helps to develop the Historic Westside into a community Dr. King would be proud to call home. Since its founding, WFF has championed four impact strategies including community health and wellness, safety and security, cradle-to-career education, and mixed income communities. With this grant, WFF and AT&T will help bridge the digital divide on the Historic Westside and improve academic and economic mobility outcomes for some of the most vulnerable community members.
“At AT&T, we are committed to helping close the digital divide and connecting more Atlantans to greater possibility,” said Venessa Harrison, President, AT&T Southeast Coastal States. “As part of this commitment, we are proud to support the Westside Future Fund and its Home on the Westside program. Together, we are providing Westside families with digital devices and resources to help them access virtual learning, develop essential digital skills and connect today in preparation for a brighter tomorrow.”
AT&T is furthering its efforts to help close the digital divide by providing affordable internet service through Access from AT&T. When Access from AT&T is combined with the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), eligible households can receive home internet service at no cost to the household
Visit WestsideFutureFund.org to learn more about the organization and its Home on the Westside program.
For more information about AT&T Georgia, please visit www.attconnects.com/georgia or follow @ATTPolicyGA.
About Westside Future Fund
Westside Future Fund (WFF) is a place-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing a compassionate and equitable approach to neighborhood revitalization of five historic Westside neighborhoods: Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center, English Avenue, Vine City, and Just Us. WFF’s signature initiative, Home on the Westside, empowers legacy residents to rent, buy and retain affordable housing. WFF drives transformational change by championing four key impact strategies: mixed-income communities, cradle-to-career education, safety and security, and health and wellness. To learn more, follow us on Facebook (@westsidefuturefund), Instagram (@westsidefuturefund), and Twitter (@WFFAtlanta), or visit www.westsidefuturefund.org.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide $2 billion commitment from 2021- 2023 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.