(KNSI) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota will be able to provide more academic support thanks to a $15,000 grant. AT&T in Minnesota donated the money. Boys and Girls Club President and CEO Mary Swingle called the donation a ‘huge gift’ and says the funds will help the clubs get kids who’ve fallen behind during the pandemic to get caught up.
“And that is all based on technology. And so being able to receive funding to help support that tutoring and mentoring online. The technology to do that is vital for us to be able to continue to provide those resources for the youth.”
The funds will go towards the club’s afterschool programs that address the digital divide, including daily homework help, tutoring and The Virtual Club.
Vice President of Operations Geri Bechtold says the lack of reliable internet access is a barrier for many kids at the clubs.
“If you have students in a household where you have more than two students, just having the technology to be able to do the distance learning is a challenge, let alone the bandwidth and having access to the internet. So, it is a huge problem. And I would say at least 40% of the youth that we serve, it’s a challenge for them.”
Paul Weirtz with AT&T says making sure kids can use and learn with technology is important to communities’ future.
“Getting these children prepared for the workforce of the future, those jobs of the future, whether it be in an office or virtual, that technology is going to find them no matter where they go.”
He says the company is committed to addressing the homework gap and digital shortcomings kids are experiencing during the pandemic.
The money will be used to provide hotspots and more computers and tablets at the clubs for kids to get their school work done and help from club staff.
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