Win, Women in Need, is the largest provider of shelter to homeless women and their families in New York City. This summer, the organization is teaming up with AT&T to support bringing college workshops and STEAM programming to middle and high school students living in Win shelters across the city. Teens will be able to tour colleges, observe lectures, and learn about academics and campus life, and participate in workshops that help them navigate the college admissions process. Homeless teens face many barriers to entry in the college admissions process, and these workshops aim to break down those barriers.
“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.
This partnership will also help Win expand its current STEAM offerings for high schoolers. Students can participate in 8-week workshops where they can learn valuable skills for careers in the tech industry like coding, 3D printing, and photography. 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 workplace experience and professional development.
AT&T’s contribution to Win is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s education initiative to drive student success in school and beyond, which includes support of STEM programs reaching students in all 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.
“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. She added that AT&T’s support will allow many students to head back into the school year with the knowledge and skills to apply to college and succeed in their careers.
