AT&T Collaborates with Ironbound Community Corporation on a Digital Equity & Access Program

Newark, NJ – The Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), LISC and AT&T are collaborating on an initiative that will assist people in the East Ward section of Newark with digital-skills building and access.
Support from LISC and AT&T will provide the ICC an opportunity to bring the community up to speed with technology focused on online financial services, state and federal benefits, job training and development, and digital warning signs and safeguarding.
“With the world rapidly moving to a more digital and technological direction, this relationship with AT&T and LISC will help ICC make a tremendous impact for our community members. This will allow them to stay up to date with technology so to not miss opportunities to help them become successful and more independent,” said Charles Barlow-Richardson, director of programs at ICC.
“This initiative will help equip Newark residents of all ages with resources and tools they need to succeed in our technology-intensive world,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “We’re glad that AT&T and LISC are working with the team at ICC to offer digital navigation programs in Newark and I commend them on developing this program.”
The Digital Equity & Access program is already in full swing, providing workshops and one-on-one trainings to community members and staff.
The next series of trainings will be held July 27, August 3 and August 8, from 11 a.m. until noon at our Family Success Center, West, 217 Elm Street in Newark.
We are also excited to announce our Digital Generations initiative. With this initiative, we will be providing Digital Navigation coaching to both senior citizens and youth between the ages of five and ten years old. The target rollout date for this initiative will be in September 2022. Specific locations will be announced soon.
“Access to technology and strong digital skills are critical to a family’s success in education, job training, and today’s workplace,” said Katrin Sirje Kärk, Director of Workforce Innovations at LISC. “We’re grateful for this collaboration with AT&T that’s allowed LISC to support Ironbound and 13 similar partners across the country, enhancing digital skilling and technology offerings in underinvested communities.”
“For more than 50 years, the Ironbound Community Corporation has been delivering services that help residents in the Ironbound neighborhood. We’re excited to work with the team to help improve residents’ digital literacy skills that are so important in the digital age,” said Arvind Swamy, regional director, AT&T External Affairs.

This program is part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative, created as part of AT&T’s companywide $2 billion commitment from 2021 – 2023 to address the digital divide through investments in digital literacy tools, education resources, broadband technology, low-cost internet service, and computers, to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. As part of our companywide $2 billion commitment from 2021 to 2023 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed more than $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.

About LISC
LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $26.7 billion to create more than 463,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 78.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.