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As part of a nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide and homework gap, AT&T is supporting HUMAN-IT to provide 75 refurbished computers to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County. BGCWC will provide computers to underserved club members and other area youth to help these students gain access to the digital resources they need to succeed in online learning.

As part of AT&T’s connected learning initiative, the company is collaborating with Human-IT, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing tools, Internet access, digital skills training, and technical support on the wrong side of communities. Works to create equal access to opportunity. digital divide. Human-IT works to remove technical e-waste from landfills, distributing refurbished equipment to selected non-profit organizations.

“The past two years have created both challenges and opportunities for families to maximize innovative, digital learning solutions,” Washington County Commissioner Kevin Ritter said. “By providing laptops to students, we can help increase the accessibility of learning anywhere/anytime. We are grateful for the generosity of AT&T and Human-IT for working with us to help our students succeed and bridge the digital divide.

According to Human-IT, approximately 100 million Americans do not have access to a personal computer, an Internet connection, or both. This lack of access to digital technology creates a significant gap between the opportunities that unconnected people can access and those available to digitally connected homes. The gap in opportunities is known as the digital divide.

AT&T and Human-IT are working to help divide, empower families through equal access to information and technology to achieve their full potential.

“Technology-related barriers to completing schoolwork are major problems for many young people in Washington County,” BGCWC Executive Director Rebecca Johnson said. “This generous gift of laptops from AT&T will help families bridge this homework gap and open more youth to the opportunities that digital connectivity makes possible.”

“Our commitment to helping bridge the digital divide includes providing learners with connectivity and the tools critical to success,” BJ Smith, foreign director, AT&T Ohio, said. “Through our work with Human-IT, we are delighted to help disadvantaged students and their families in Washington County gain access to free computer and digital literacy resources that are vital to online learning.”

According to Johnson, all K-12 kids in Marietta are eligible to apply for a free laptop.

Preference will be given to existing members of the club and youth from low-income families.