AT&T Contact: Eric Robinson

E-mail: eric.robinson@att.com
Phone: 217.899.3434

Northwestern University Contact: Megan Fellman

E-mail: fellman@northwestern.edu
Phone: 847.491.3115

AUSL Contact: John Bannon

E-mail: jbannon@auslchicago.org
Phone: 847.227.7772

UCAN Contact: Derrick Baker

E-mail: Derrick.Baker@ucanchicago.org
Phone: 312.497.1604

Mercy Home Contact: Mark Schmeltzer

E-mail: Marsch@MercyHome.org
Phone: 312.933.9757

CHICAGO STUDENTS GET $1.1 MILLION BOOST FROM AT&T

AT&T Aspire contributes nearly $1.1 million to Chicago Programs Helping Students
Stay on the Path to Graduation
CHICAGO, DEC. 8, 2014 Four programs working to help Chicago high school students at risk of
dropping out of school have received nearly $1.1 million in support from AT&T, the company announced
today. About 95 percent of these contributions will support Chicago Public Schools students.
It takes caring professionals and a relentless focus on results to put students at risk of dropping out of
high school on the path to graduation. Because of their focus on supporting and motivating traditionally
underserved students to stay in school and prepare for their next step in life, AT&T is announcing funding
support to four organizations: Mission of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercy Home for Boys & Girls), Academy for
Urban School Leadership (AUSL), UCAN and Northwestern University.
These organizations are being funded through AT&T Aspire, the companys signature education initiative
focused on school success and career readiness. With an unwavering commitment to data-driven
education outcomes, AT&T Aspire has impacted more than 1 million students since its launch in 2008.
At AT&T, we believe that when we invest in education, we are making our communities stronger, safer
and more economically viable, said Paul La Schiazza, AT&T Illinois President. We understand that
investing in a well-educated workforce may be the single most important thing we can do to support a
strong global economy. That is why AT&T has committed a total of $350 million to education through
Aspire, and why we are contributing nearly $1.1 million in these programs for Chicago students.
Mission of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercy Home for Boys & Girls) will receive $100,000 to support the
Academy, Mercy Home's comprehensive education program that improves the academic abilities and job
skills for the abused, abandoned and neglected youth living in its residential program. Mercy Home
designed the Academy to help its 8th through 12th grade students address their unique educational
needs so that they receive the critical one-on-one attention to catch up in class, develop an educational
foundation, build their work ethic and a love of learning, and reach the ultimate milestone of high school
graduation.

"Thanks to the generous support that we receive from corporate and community collaborators, like
AT&T, our young men and women are realizing dreams that had seemed all but impossible to them
before, said Rev. L. Scott Donahue, President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Most tangibly,
all of the high school seniors in our care - 100 percent of them- graduate each year. And true to their
mission, AT&T is helping our young people aspire to big things in life. With their help and
encouragement, our young people are able to build futures of self-reliance and success."
Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) will receive $300,000 to support the expansion of the
Track to Graduation, a school-wide initiative that provides high school students who are at risk of
dropping out with tutoring and adult and peer mentors to ensure they graduate high school ready for
post-secondary settings.
AUSL is honored to receive this generous contribution from the AT&T Aspire program, said Don
Feinstein, Executive Director of AUSL. The AT&T Aspire contribution supports our work to ensure
students in AUSL schools are prepared for college and career. Positive adult role models are critical
towards ensuring students stay on track towards high school graduation and we are grateful for AT&T
Aspires contribution, providing more mentors for our high school students.
UCAN will receive $300,000 to support an established in-school and out-of-school project in multiple
schools in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood to help students at risk of dropping out of school due
to exposure to trauma achieve educational success. The program uses a combination of youth
development services and counseling services, including case management, violence prevention,
leadership development, job readiness, mentoring and clinical support, to provide opportunities for youth
to develop social and emotional learning skills and to heal from traumatic events.
UCAN has a wonderful supporter in the AT&T Aspire program, said UCAN CEO Tom Vanden Berk.
We serve youth who have experienced trauma, in their homes and their communities, with a consistent
presence, meaningful programming, and unrivaled diversity. UCAN leads a group of over 30 service
partners in Chicagos Peace Hub, which reduces community violence and helps students stay in school
by sharing the best practices of others in the city and providing data on what works. UCANs school
programs and the Peace Hub have helped 94% of the students we serve stay in school and on track to
graduation. AT&T Aspire recognizes how we make a difference. We are grateful and proud to stand with
them in support of Chicagos most vulnerable young people.
Northwestern University will receive nearly $400,000 to develop a STEM program for promising
Chicago Public Schools students. This contribution supports the planning and first-year implementation
of a novel, mentor-based STEM program for underserved ascending ninth grade students in Chicago
Public Schools. The program will offer a combination of social and academic supports to keep high
school students on track to graduate with the strong academic credentials necessary to attend college.
"We welcome this opportunity to strengthen our partnership with Chicago Public Schools and their
students," said Jay Walsh, Northwestern University's Vice President for Research. "We're grateful to
AT&T for their investment in these students to help them develop into the scientists and engineers of the
future."
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About AT&T

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

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. In 2013, more than $130 million was
contributed or directed through corporate-, employee-, social investment- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.
AT&T Aspire is AT&Ts signature education initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse
resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring.