Jul 272012
 

AT&T Wisconsin Director of External Affairs Tricia Conway and State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck present a $5,000 AT&T Wisconsin Innovation & Investment Award grant to Project 16:49 co-chair Ann Forbeck.

AT&T recently gave the YWCA Rock County a check for $5,000 to support Project 16:49. Please read the full press release below.

YWCA Rock County Receives $5,000 AT&T Innovation Grant to Support Project 16:49

Contribution will enable organization to meet transportation needs of homeless high school students in Janesville, Beloit school districts

JANESVILLE, WI, Thursday, July 26, 2012 — AT&T Wisconsin announced today a $5,000 Innovation & Investment Award grant to support Project 16:49’s efforts to meet the transportation needs of homeless high school students in Rock County.  The grant was announced at an event at the YWCA Rock County in Janesville with Project 16:49 leaders, YWCA leaders and State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton).

The AT&T contribution will enable Project 16:49 to meet the transportation needs next school year of more than 170 homeless unaccompanied students who are working to complete their high school education in the Janesville and Beloit school districts.  The funding will enable these students to access transportation that will enable them to get jobs, further their education, access health care, visit the library, and meet basic needs like grocery shopping and going to the laundry mat.

“Project 16:49 is committed to helping homeless students in Rock County have the support and resources they need to finish high school and become contributing, educated adults,” said Ann Forbeck, a Project 16:49 Co-Chair.  “With this contribution from AT&T, we are pleased that we will be able to meet the transportation needs of all the homeless youth we serve.”

The number of Rock County homeless students grew from 880 during the 2010-11 school year to 968 during the 2011-12 school year, according to Project 16:49.  Many are on their own with no place to call home.

“Too many of our young people deal with homelessness, and this program is critical to helping these students have the care, support and resources they need to prosper,” said State Rep. Loudenbeck, a long-time champion of Project 16:49.  “We are very fortunate to have strong organizations like Project 16:49 working hard to help our homeless teens finish high school and have a solid foundation for a successful future.”

The mission of Project 16:49 is to provide a known, safe and stable living environment for homeless youth in Rock County.  The organization consists of a group of service providers and concerned citizens working to provide a continuum of services for homeless teens, including transportation, a safe and nurturing home, case management and referral services, mentoring, education and job search help, and healthy nutrition.  To learn more, please visit http://project1649.org.

“AT&T shares Project 16:49’s commitment to helping our homeless youth have the education, support and resources they need to be successful in life,” said Tricia Conway, Director of External Affairs for AT&T Wisconsin.  “We are proud to provide grant funding once again this year to Project 16:49 to help Rock County’s homeless teens.”

The AT&T Wisconsin Innovation & Investment Award program provides grant funding to organizations and programs that improve the community by: advancing education; enhancing the environment; promoting economic development and new technologies; or delivering other essential community services.  This is the third grant this year in a new program aimed at supporting local organizations that enhance and give back to their communities.  Last year, AT&T provided a $3,500 grant from the AT&T Foundation to support Project 16:49.

For more information, contact:
Jessica Erickson, AT&T Wisconsin
608-282-7870 (work)
608-692-5340 (cell)
jessica.erickson@att.com