LULAC Annouces Collaboration with AT&T Supporting Signature Youth Mentoring & Technology Programs

The League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today announced a collaborative effort with
AT&T supporting its Adelante! America with AT&T and Empower Hispanic America with Technology (EHAT) initiatives. The programs provide underserved youth grades 8-12 with mentoring services and offer technology access and digital literacy training at select
LULAC Technology Centers.

“The Adelante! America program works with mentors to steer youth away from a negative environment and into a promising future through community service and by achieving academic success,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “With AT&T’s generous support, the Adelante! America with AT&T program will reinvigorate its objective to combat negative influences and entice the Latino community to learn computer skills that inspire further education and workforce training. Our collaboration with community based organizations, LULAC Councils, and LNESC Educational Centers has been successful in identifying where the most critical need for technology labs exists. For many communities, the technology labs are a vital resource, and it is critical that we make them available in areas where they are needed the most.”

LULAC remains at the forefront of community efforts to increase broadband access for the Latino community. Started eight years ago through an AT&T Foundation investment, the EHAT initiative now helps more than 150,000 Latinos a year to advance their education, careers and quality of life through a current network of 56 community technology centers in 25 states.

“With 77 percent of teachers assigning homework that requires the use of the Internet, and 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies only posting job announcements online, broadband access
and digital literacy skills are now more critical for Latinos than ever,” said Norelie García AT&T Associate Vice-President for External Affairs. “The high-school dropout rate amongst Latino students stands at an appalling 50 percent. It is an honor to stand with LULAC to change
these statistics and to help provide our families with educational opportunities and access to the transformative benefits of broadband through the Empowering Hispanic America with
Technology initiative and Adelante! America with AT&T program.”

LULAC Technology Centers provide free broadband access and computer-related training where families and low-income individuals can do school work, college and financial aid searches, undergo job training, job-searches, manage money, and take online English language courses.

LULAC and AT&T will also premiere a video illustrating the impact of the EHAT initiative as LULAC celebrates its 83rd Anniversary at its Fifteenth Annual National Legislative Conference and Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.

View Video here http://youtu.be/JzPlUJo4f1Q.