Homeless Students WIN At Future Careers With College Tours And STEAM Workshops

This summer, AT&T is teaming up with Win, the largest provider of shelter to homeless women and their families from Harlem to Hollis, to support college visits and STEAM workshops for middle and high school students living in Win family shelters across the City.

Thanks to funding from AT&T, students from Win shelters that serve the highest population of teens will visit local colleges throughout the summer, where they will tour campuses, observe lectures, learn about academic programs and get a sense of campus life. Students will also participate in hands-on college access workshops to help them navigate the complicated college application process. Homeless teens face barriers to college that their peers do not, whether they are dealing with trauma or facing financial hurdles to both applying to or attending school.

AT&T’s support also will help Win build upon its existing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programs for high schoolers. Students will participate in an 8-week series where they will learn skills tied to in-demand professions in the tech industry, including coding, 3D printing, and photography.

“AT&T is committed to strengthening and improving opportunities for all students, and we strongly believe that financial barriers should not be a deterrent for children to pursue their dreams,” said Amy Kramer, New York State President, AT&T. “AT&T is proud to continue our support for Win this summer to help put even more young people in need on the path to success in college and in their careers.”

“One in ten students in the public school system will experience homelessness, and these 20,000 young people living in shelter often don’t have the same access to enriching educational opportunities as their peers,” said Christine Quinn, President and CEO of Win. “Win is thrilled to have the continued support of AT&T, an organization leading the charge to close the opportunity gap in tech for students across New York City. Thanks to AT&T, dozens of our students will head back to school in the fall with the knowledge and skills to apply to college and one day, succeed in their chosen career path.”

The initiative is made possible by a $25,000 contribution by AT&T to Win. A check presentation in honor of AT&T’s and Win’s collaboration took place on Friday evening on the field of Yankees Stadium.

During the STEAM program, the students will work closely with AT&T employees and other mentors not only to learn about the tech industry, sales, and customer service but also to gain valuable workplace experience and professional development.

This contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s signature education initiative to drive student success in school and beyond, which includes support of STEM programs reaching students throughout the five boroughs. Along with its support for Win, AT&T is providing funding for programs with the York College NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy, First Star Academy, DreamYard Project, NYU Tandon School of Engineering and BRIC.

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. The company’s signature philanthropic initiative, AT&T Aspire, drives innovation in education to promote student success in school and beyond. With a financial commitment of $450 million since 2008, AT&T is leveraging technology, relationships and social innovation to help all students make their biggest dreams a reality.

Photo credit: Christine Quinn and Amy Kramer.