The Pittsburgh Steelers announced today an additional $30,000 in contributions to local charities that support closing the "digital divide" as part of the NFL's social justice initiative, Inspire Change.
The Steelers have selected five local nonprofit organizations that address the longstanding barrier to internet and technology access among economic groups, and particularly in underserved communities, to be recipients of this grant.
Contributions were made to 21 organizations in Pittsburgh and several in players' hometowns that focus on youth development, food access, criminal justice, community and police relations, equity and inclusion education, housing, domestic violence and survivor support groups, and military veterans.
The following organizations will receive a donation:
Latino Community Center (LCC) is focused on helping to ensure the success of Latino students in a virtual school environment through its internet and technological support initiative.
World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh offers global learning opportunities to students that allow them to develop the competences to be ready to go to college or to join the workforce.
The Education Law Center (ELC) is a nonprofit law center dedicated to ensuring all children in Pennsylvania have access to quality public education. The organization works to ensure that public schools are safe, equitable, and inclusive with equal opportunities for all children to learn, free from discrimination.
The Education Partnership partners with public, private, and charter schools, and interested and invested community members and businesses to deliver results-driven and scalable programs designed to provide school supplies to economically disadvantaged students and their teachers in under-resourced schools across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
A+ Schools and Hope for Tomorrow's mission is to develop youth, in partnership with their families, to succeed in the global community by addressing academic, socio-economic and relational rose factors. The organization plans to use the funds to create a second learning hub to support underserved children and families in the Elliot neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
"The Latino Community Center is honored to be a recipient of a Digital Divide Grant through the Pittsburgh Steelers. Through this support, LCC will continue to connect Latinx students and families in our region with internet access and provide technical assistance," said Rosamaria Cristello, Executive Director and Founder of LCC.
"The Education Law Center is grateful to the Pittsburgh Steelers for supporting our education justice work in western Pennsylvania. These funds will bolster our work providing rights-based information to students and families. Together, we can address the inequitable impacts of the digital divide," said Nancy A. Hubley, Pittsburgh Director of the Education Law Center.
Inspire Change launched during the 2018 season, showcasing the collaborative efforts of players, clubs, and the league to create positive change in communities across the country.
