AT&T, the largest mobile carrier in North America, announced that it would offer a $1 million grant to LULAC (the League of United Latin American Citizens), via the AT&T Foundation. The money will allow LULAC to roll-out its "Adelante America" program, which has the purpose of providing mentoring, academic classes and student leadership development for "at-risk Latino teens" from the eighth, ninth and tenth grades.
Spread out over the next two years, AT&T's $ 1 million grant will help 910 Hispanic students. During the Adelante America program, there will be developed various activities and services that have the goals of increasing the rate of grade promotion, improving the academic performance of students, interpersonal relationships and so on.
Rosa Rosales, president of LULAC, said about AT&T's implication, "This important educational initiative in our community will help ensure that our nation's rich high-tech future and digital empowerment is within reach of our Latino youth. A good education is the key to a successful future. And as a long-time leader in broadband and mobile communications, and a long term dependable partner of the Hispanic community, AT&T is once again demonstrating their corporate leadership by keeping the American Dream accessible to Latino students all across the country".
Susan Santana, assistant vice president, External Affairs, AT&T, added, "As one of the most well-respected advocacy organizations in the country, LULAC will help ensure that Latino students have the tools they need to live up to their maximum educational potential. We are honored to play a small part in helping today's Latino youth become tomorrow's world leaders".
The $1 million grant offered to LULAC is in line with AT&T Foundation's Aspire program, initiated several months ago in order to reduce the number of school drop outs in the US.