The “goal” of the new AT&T Connected Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio, is connecting area students to digital learning. Two of the guests celebrating the Center’s opening made clear to students that digital learning creates educational champions.
Crew Cat and S.C. – mascots of the 2023 Major League Soccer Cup champion Columbus Crew – joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio (BGCCO) and Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther to open the doors of the new AT&T Connected Learning Center inside BGCCO’s J. Ashburn Jr. Clubhouse, in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus.
“The neighborhood students who spend their afternoons here will now have internet access and digital tools readily available, and that opens up new opportunities for them and their families,” said Mayor Ginther. “This Center is a great collaborative effort that will help close the digital divide in our community.”
“For 75 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio has been enabling young people to reach their full potential. In 2024 and beyond, the road to full potential must be navigated with the help of digital tools,” said Doug Wolf, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio. “Providing young people with the best out-of-school time programming is the center of everything we do, and collaborations like this one with AT&T help make that happen.”
Each AT&T Connected Learning Center is housed within a trusted community organization, dedicated to serving their community – and this center is no different. BGCCO includes 12 clubs across three counties offering students a safe space to complete homework, talk to mentors, and engage in creative activities.
“Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the J. Ashburn Jr. Club directly reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve,” said Molly Kocour Boyle, President of AT&T Ohio. “We’re investing in digital resources, digital literacy and digital learning to help connect today’s students and families with skills, tools and opportunities for success.”
Now, students who visit the BGCCO J. Ashburn Jr. Club can access the new center and all it has to offer, including free access to computers provided by Dell Technologies, Wi-Fi, and tutoring services. This comprehensive support enables them to fully immerse themselves in and benefit from online learning opportunities.
The opening event showcased the strength of community and connectivity, highlighting the importance of collaboration. Leaders from BGCCO and the City of Columbus were among those on hand to lend their support for the opportunities the new Connected Learning Center will offer and to highlight their commitments to closing the digital divide.
As a proud sponsor of Major League Soccer, AT&T invited the 2023 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew mascots, Crew Cat and S.C., to mingle with students at the J. Ashburn Jr. Club during the celebration, bringing added energy to their excitement about the new digital tools the center provides. The Crew supports Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio throughout the year, providing BGCCO students with an annual STEM Day at Lower.com Field and tickets to a Columbus Crew game.
The Bottom Line.
Connectivity ensures our students, families and communities don’t miss out on the opportunities that are made possible online.
Our work with the Columbus community stands as a testament to our motivation to help bridge the digital divide in communities across the country. These centers are part of our AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. The centers play an important role in our commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030, and we’ve committed $5 billion to make that happen.
This may be our first Connected Learning Center in Central Ohio, but it’s our 39th nationwide on our way to more than 50 total centers across the country by mid-2024. As we work to reach that number, we will continue to work with those who know and serve their community best – so we can connect more students and families to opportunities online.
