The Value of Connection

April, a Dallas native and mom of two, was experiencing job loss and uncertain housing. Then, her path to earning a degree took a turn for the better thanks to AT&T and the United Way’s Digital Bridges program. Through the program, April received a laptop, which helped her stay connected, manage her online classes, and keep working toward her goals without missing a beat.

Ethan, a passionate student and musician from South Texas, draws inspiration from his grandmother’s bolero singing and his Latin American roots. Active in bilingual and church choirs, he uses music to celebrate and share his culture. Growing up with limited technology—often sharing a laptop with his mom or relying on school computers—Ethan faced challenges applying to college and searching for scholarships, frequently using his smartphone for these tasks, which was time-consuming.

Gia Duarte’s journey with AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers (CLC) at the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) in Los Angeles is a powerful example of how access to technology makes a real difference. At home, Gia struggled with limited and unreliable technology, which made it hard for her to research colleges and complete applications. Then she discovered the CLC—a reliable space where she could focus, get the resources she needed, and plan confidently for her future.

Meet James, a senior from St. Louis and member of the Urban League. Recently, he joined a series of courses powered by AT&T’s digital literacy resources. In his 70s and preparing to re-enter the workforce, James is building his confidence and skills in technology, email, internet use, and more- key tools for success in today’s job market. For him, learning new digital tools has opened ways to stay in touch with his family, handle personal tasks online, and find important information quickly.