Engaging the Business Community by LaTara Harris - Community Convention 2016
12.10.2 final aspire announcement cwru
1. Sarah Briggs Bill Lubinger
AT&T Public Affairs Case Western Reserve University
614-223-7641, office 216-368-4443, office
sb3642@att.com wxl289@case.edu
Case Western Reserve University’s Upward Bound Program
Receives $200,000 Aspire Contribution from AT&T
The Cleveland Initiative Only Ohio Organization Among 47 Recipients
Nationwide to Share in $10 Million to Help Stem the High School Dropout Crisis
CLEVELAND, OH, October, 2, 2012 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a $200,000 contribution
to support the Upward Bound Program at Case Western Reserve University. The Upward Bound
program was established in 1966 and is designed to prepare low-income and potential first-generation
college high school students for successful postsecondary studies.
Because of its solid record of proven results, the Upward Bound program has been named one of 47
recipients nationwide that will share in nearly $10 million from AT&T. With more than 1 million students
impacted since its launch in 2008, the AT&T Aspire program is one of the largest corporate
commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and
careers. AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion to the program earlier this
year, bringing the total commitment to $350 million.
Applicants were evaluated based on their accomplishments in serving students at risk of dropping out
of high-school and their ability to use data to demonstrate the effectiveness of their work. After a
rigorous and competitive process, the Upward Bound program was identified as making a real
difference in their community by supporting and motivating traditionally underserved students to stay in
2. school, graduate and prepare for the next step in life. To learn more about all of the organizations
selected, please visit www.att.com/local-impact.
“Since the Upward Bound program was introduced in 1966, more than 3,000 high school students
have benefited from the one-on-one mentoring, while hundreds who may have otherwise dropped out
were able to earn their diplomas," said Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder.
"We are grateful for AT&T’s generous support of a program with such life-changing possibilities."
High school students who attend any one of four Cleveland public schools, grades nine through 12, are
eligible for participation in the Upward Bound program. The program is year-round and includes a six-
week summer residential component and a well-developed academic year component. During the
summer in a simulated college environment, students live in university residence halls, receive
intensive academic instruction in mathematics, natural sciences with laboratory experience,
English/literature, reading, study skills, computer science and foreign language. They also participate in
a community service project.
“There is no greater investment that any organization can make than in the education of Ohio’s future
leaders,” said State Senator Shirley Smith. “The work of the Upward Bound program at Case Western
Reserve University is to be commended, as it keeps our youth on track to graduate high school and
prepare them to succeed in college and the workforce.”
During the academic year, students participate in the Saturday Enrichment Program, which provides
academic courses and instruction for passing the Ohio Graduation Test. Students also attend weekly
tutorials and participate in workshops that focus on personal growth and development. Furthermore,
college planning and placement assistance, the SAT/ACT review program (Math and English
components), and individual/group counseling and advising (personal, academic and career) are active
areas of the program year-round. Annually, the program serves 110 high school students. Services are
free.
3. “Keeping our teenagers in high school and preparing them for success after graduation benefits our
students and our communities,” said Tom Pelto, president of AT&T Ohio. “The Upward Bound program
has a proven graduation strategy that is helping at-risk youth stay in school and succeed academically.
We are proud to support this program.”
Students who drop out of high school are almost twice as likely to be unemployed than high school
graduates and they earn far less money. Studies also cite those that drop out are eight times as likely
to be incarcerated, and far more likely to require public assistance such as housing subsidies, food
stamps, and utility assistance.
Links
Web Site Links: Related Media Kits:
AT&T News AT&T Aspire
AT&T Foundry
students.case.edu/trio/upwardbound
Related Releases: Related Fact Sheets:
AT&T Announces Quarter-Billion-Dollar AT&T Aspire: Helping Students Prepare for the Future
Expansion Of Education Commitment
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