AT&T and League of United Latin American Citizens Empower Philadelphia Hispanic Community Organization with Technology

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of a national effort to bring technology access to underserved, Hispanic communities, J. Michael Schweder, president of AT&T Pennsylvania, joined representatives of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the LULAC National Education Service Center (LNESC) in Philadelphia to highlight a program that will provide Hispanic youth and adults in Kensington with access to enhanced technology programs.

The event, which was held at the LNESC facility in the city's Kensington neighborhood, featured a conversation about the skills necessary for students to excel in today's digital age and how the LULAC Empower Hispanic America with Technology initiative will help achieve that goal. The students who use the LNESC facility also demonstrated some of the skills they are learning through this program.

"AT&T's partnership with LULAC on this initiative will help people master the skills that will enable them to compete for higher-paying, technology-driven jobs," said Schweder. "At AT&T, we are proud to support programs that improve people's lives, and we are committed to extending the benefits of advanced telecommunications technology to everyone."

The LNESC facility in Philadelphia provides access to and instruction on modern computer technology in addition to assistance with résumés, college application preparation, GED preparation, financial aid research, and online citizenship services and job-search programs. Program participants use high-speed Internet access, computer equipment and basic office applications software to develop job skills, research career options, educational opportunities and other resources.

"We are so excited to be able to be partner with AT&T Foundation for this technology center in Philadelphia," said Michelle E. Rodriguez, Interim Director. "This will be a great opportunity for the youth that participate in our programs. They will have a state of the art technology center that will allow them to enter a world that many of them do not have access to. The world of modern technology."

"We are very excited at the opportunity AT&T is providing to the community of Philadelphia at large," said Richard Roybal, LNESC Executive Director. "This technology center will open new doorways to students and give people of all ages access to learning opportunities they otherwise would not have."

In partnership with LULAC, the AT&T Foundation - the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) - is supporting 31 other locations across the United States, including a program in Allentown, Pa., that will house new community technology centers in low-income Hispanic communities. The 32 new technology centers are being supported by a $1.5 million AT&T Foundation grant that builds upon the success of a $1 million grant given to LULAC in 2004.

According to Mr. Roybal, in addition to creating 32 new technology centers, the funds will also enable the organization to maintain 23 current locations established under the previous grant. More than 55,000 Latinos received access and instruction on computer technology through AT&T's support in 2004, and this new grant is expected to more than double the number of people LULAC can help.

The grant to LULAC is a part of AT&T AccessAll, a three-year $100 million philanthropic initiative to provide technology access to underserved communities.

Other centers created by the 2006 AT&T Foundation grant are:

Phoenix, Ariz.

Russellville, Ark.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Pomona, Calif.

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Pueblo, Colo.

Hartford, Conn. (2)

Miami, Fla.

Orlando, Fla.

Waterloo, Iowa

Chicago, Ill. (2)

Boston, Mass.

Lincoln, Neb.

Newark, N.J.

Albuquerque, N.M. (2)

Santa Fe, N.M.

New York City, N.Y.

Youngstown, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Allentown, Pa.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Abilene, Texas

El Paso, Texas

Laredo, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Alexandria, Va.

Washington, D.C. (2)

Waukesha, Wis.

Clients served by the community technology centers are low-income and/or first-generation Hispanic-American youth and adults. While a higher percentage of Hispanics are employed compared with any other ethnic group (64 percent employment rate versus 63 percent for the next highest, Current Population Survey, April 2006), Hispanics are far more likely than the average American to be among the working poor. In addition, according to a new study by Pew Hispanic Center, 53 percent of Hispanics who are not online say this is because they do not have access. Empower Hispanic America with Technology is aimed at combating these inequities by giving Hispanics the necessary skills, and access, to compete in today's technology-driven workplaces.

AT&T's signature AccessAll initiative is a landmark three-year $100 million philanthropic program that connects families and communities with technology tools that can improve lives. The program will provide technology access, tools and training to low-income families, underserved communities and the organizations that work to strengthen communities.

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation support efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities nationwide, particularly initiatives with an emphasis on education and technology and those that benefit underserved populations. Since 1996, the AT&T Foundation has contributed more than $40 million in grants to organizations serving Hispanic communities across the country.

Find More Information Online:

Related Media Kits: AT&T AccessAll (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=7914)

Related Fact Sheets: AT&T AccessAll (http://www.att.com/Common/files/pdf/accessall_fs.pdf)

AT&T AccessAll ­ Closing the Technology Gap (http://www.att.com/Common/files/pdf/accessall_gap.pdf)

Web Site Links:

AT&T Web Site (http://att.sbc.com/gen/landing-pages?pid=3308)

AT&T Foundation Web Site (http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=7736)

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (http://www.lulac.org/)

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About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens (www.lulac.org) is the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advancing the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

About LNESC Philadelphia

In an effort to create lifelong learners and leaders within the Hispanic community, LNESC strives to provide the highest quality educational opportunities possible. We seek to develop America's future workforce by effectively preparing young people for the jobs of the new economy.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. supports programs that strengthen communities; improve access to information technology and technology training; advance education; and enhance professional-skills development. In 2006, AT&T contributed more than $101 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T AccessAll, the company's signature philanthropic initiative, is a $100 million program that connects families and communities with technology that can improve lives. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than $1.8 billion of charitable commitment to communities across the country.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access, and voice services. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include next-generation television services such as AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com

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