AT&T Contributes To Great Futures at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington

Hundreds of youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Branch will take part in Diplomas 2 Degrees (d2d) and Digital You over the fall of 2015.

With the support of AT&T, youth will participate in d2d as part of AT&T’s support of keeping them engaged and prepped for a successful school year. BGCGW will continue its dropout prevention program

BE GREAT: Graduate to increase high school success and readiness by adding a 9th grade cohort.

BE GREAT, supports d2d in that it provides academic programming to assist middle school students with transitioning into high school. BE GREAT: Graduate is designed to enhance each student’s engagement with learning by providing consistent support from caring and trusted adults in developing the academic, emotional and social skills needed to achieve academic success. The program uses early warning signs - including attendance, behavior and course failure -- to identify youth at risk for dropping out, and increases their engagement at Clubs.

In addition, students will develop and build their academic/professional skill sets that will be used to assist them with securing college admissions, filling out online applications, getting internships, and learning about science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) careers.

“At BGCGW, we help boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, build confidence, develop character and acquire the skills needed to become productive, civic-minded, responsible adults. Education, in particular, has been our priority and more specifically, providing quality programs based on national common core standards that raise graduation rates of our members,” says Matt McKinnis, Alexandria Regional Board Chair.

“Keeping our students in school and preparing them for success after graduation benefits our students and our communities,” said LaTara Harris, Regional Director, External Affairs, AT&T. “The Boys and Girls Club has a proven graduation strategy that is helping at-risk youth stay in school and succeed academically. We are proud to support this program.”

AT&T will assist BGCGW in helping to educate the future workforce and support programs which encourage and increase student participation and achievement in STEM. Our programs enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, applying learning to everyday situations and embracing technology to achieve success in a career. We are committed to successfully implementing impactful programs effecting disadvantaged youth (of which more than 80% of our members live at or below the poverty line) that are designed to improve retention, promotion and graduation rates of students at risk of dropping out of school.

As a part of STEM programming offered by the club, students also will learn how to use mobile technology and the Internet safely and responsibly through AT&T’s Digital You program. Digital You, created in collaboration with Common Sense Media, will help youth with privacy, safety and security as they connect online.

“Internet access lets us travel the world without leaving our homes, do research for school, and play live video games with friends,” said AT&T’s Harris. “However, we know the Internet can be a dangerous place for users of all ages. We want to inspire students to use this powerful technology safely and responsibly.”

Harris said Digital You includes Digital Compass, a free interactive game developed by Common Sense Media to help 6th through 9th graders learn critical online skills and digital citizenship.

On Monday, September 14 at the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Branch, Club youth, Board members, former Boys & Girls Club kid and Mayor of Alexandria - Bill Euille, will welcome AT&T and accept a donation of $10,000 to support the youth served at this Club and in the community.