To help provide equitable learning access and opportunities and keep local youth connected, UScellular has donated 50 wireless hotspots and two years of service, valued at $56,300, to Lebanon-based Project 360 Youth Services as part of its After School Access Project. UScellular’s After School Access Project provides free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended and provides safe internet access for homework and education.
The hotspots provided to Project 360 Youth Services connect to UScellular’s wireless network to provide high-speed connectivity for youth while at the facility and at the homes of members who check-out the devices.
“Connecting people and communities is our mission and the After School Access Project is just one way that we’re helping ensure youth have the reliable access they need to grow and pursue their dreams,” said Duane Chaffin, store manager for at UScellular in Lebanon. “We encourage other Missouri nonprofit organizations to apply for this program and help us bring reliable wireless internet access to youth across America.”
The mission of Project 360 Youth Services is to provide physical and emotional support and mentoring to Laclede County youth who are homeless or living in unstable home conditions as they meet goals related to life skills and education. The organization serves youth in its drop-in center who are 13-20 years of age by picking them up at school and providing several hours of care that allows them to get clothing, a hot meal, mentoring, tutoring and more. Project 360 Youth Services is in a rural area where traditional internet service is poor. Wireless connections are vital to the youth’s ability to communicate with Project 360 Youth Services when not at the facility, and to be successful in school.
Since 2021, the company has donated more than $12 million supporting over 100 organizations with hotspots and service nationwide. In early 2023, UScellular extended its pledge and committed up to $13 million in new funding to the program.
Eligible 501c3 nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply by going to www.AfterSchoolAccessProject.com.
- Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
- Operate within UScellular’s service area
- Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
- Not a school or government entity
UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. Since 2009, UScellular has invested more than $35 million in monetary donations, technology resources and countless experiences to nonprofit organizations across the country.
For more information about the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/.
About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.
###
For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314)436-9090