September 7, 2023
To provide meaningful educational opportunities and experiences to local youth, UScellular has announced a $32,300 grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley in Knoxville. This donation is part of a $1 million grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which will directly benefit 19 additional Clubs throughout UScellular’s service areas. This marks the ninth consecutive year of UScellular’s investment in Boys & Girls Clubs, continuing the company’s support of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and academic enrichment programs happening at the Clubs.
“UScellular is a firm believer that all youth should have an opportunity to pursue a STEM education,” said Thomas White, director of sales for East Tennessee at UScellular. “Through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, we have a pathway to provide local youth with the tools, resources and experiences to explore a career in a STEM field and help shape their future opportunities.”
Throughout 2022, UScellular’s support gave 147,000 youth across the country access to STEM activities and learning. Funds from the grant were used for the creation of STEM labs, hands-on interactive programming and STEM curriculum training for Club leaders.
Participation in these programs has ignited a newfound curiosity for STEM subjects among Club members. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Outcomes survey, 48% of youth in grades 4-12 became more curious about pursuing a STEM education and career.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is thrilled to work with UScellular once again to support STEM education for kids across the country,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Thanks to this partnership, more young people are experiencing new opportunities and impact-driven programming to support them in achieving the bright futures that they deserve.”
In addition to its support of STEM education at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, UScellular remains committed to narrowing the “homework gap” through the After School Access Project, which is an initiative that provides free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended. While the program is open to any eligible nonprofit in UScellular markets, UScellular has donated more than 3,300 hotspots and service – a value of more than $3.2 million – to more than 40 Boys & Girls Clubs.
To learn more about UScellular’s work with Boys & Girls Clubs, go to newsroom.uscellular.com/boys-girls-clubs-of-america.
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 UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to 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.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For over 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 5,200 Clubs serve over 3.3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.
