AT&T pledges nearly $200,000 to support education, homeless populations in Louisville

A major telecommunications provider is planning to support education, homeless populations and community programs in Louisville.

AT&T is launching a "Believe Louisville" initiative that will pledge around $200,000 toward helping improve the lives of at-risk populations in the Derby City, the company announced Tuesday. The initiative will leverage AT&T's more than 900 Louisville area employees to lead volunteer efforts.

“It just makes sense," AT&T Kentucky President Hood Harris said at an event at the Academy at Shawnee Tuesday. "We've been here giving back for 140 years, but this is a more dedicated and focused way to do it."

At the event, AT&T kicked off its campaign by stuffing 250 backpacks for students with classroom materials and personal hygiene products.

According to the company, the volunteer efforts will focus on four core areas: providing education and job skills in at-risk neighborhoods; supporting Louisville's homeless population; felony expungement and community engagement.

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Jobs for America's Graduates is the first collaborator in the initiative, the company said. With $50,000 in funding from AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the nonprofit program that helps high school students overcome obstacles to prepare for college and career pathways will be able to increase its efforts at Doss High School and the Academy @ Shawnee.

“What a great word: believe,” JAG Kentucky President Lisa Handziak said. "Because at JAG, we believe. We believe in the intrinsic value of our students. We believe in the West End. We believe in Louisville."

Though starting out at two high schools, JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio said he hopes to expand the resources provided by AT&T's initiative into other schools soon.

"Part of the work that we are doing is around supporting students and providing them the supports they need to be successful," Pollio said.

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This initiative is part of AT&T's larger "AT&T Believes" program, which is now active in more than 20 cities across the country.

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.