photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Families line up to receive laptops at the Center for Great Futures in Lawrence on Dec. 6, 2023. The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence teamed up with AT&T to distribute 200 laptops to local families and students.

On Wednesday, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence teamed up with AT&T to distribute 200 laptops to local families and students.

The laptops distributed in Lawrence are just a small fraction of the 26,000 being distributed across the country thanks to a $10 million donation from AT&T to Human-I-T, an organization working to create equitable access to opportunity by providing free devices and internet access.

“One of the best parts of Boys & Girls Club is providing opportunities to the kids we serve,” Frank Harwood, the interim CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence said in a release announcing the laptop distribution. “This is one such example. When you pair together an organization who wants to give their families every chance at success with a company who is committed to improving lives, great things happen. We are grateful to AT&T and excited to see our families receive technology that is vital to our members’ education and their families’ everyday life.”

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Frank Harwood attends a laptop distribution event at the Center for Great Futures in Lawrence on Dec. 6, 2023. The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence teamed up with AT&T to distribute 200 laptops to local families and students.

Along with the new technology, students will also have access to “The Achievery,” a free online learning platform created by AT&T to provide students with engaging and entertaining content paired with learning activities.

The overarching contribution to Human-I-T, and subsequently to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, is part of AT&T’s Connected Learning initiative, which is intended to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility and affordability.

“The team at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence works tirelessly to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” Jim Jamison, president of AT&T Kansas, said in the release. “One way they achieve their mission is by providing educational programs that help young people prepare for success in school, on the job and in life. I’m glad we were able to work with them to provide laptops for students and families in Lawrence.”

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

President of AT&T Kansas Jim Jamison speaks at the Center for Great Futures in Lawrence on Dec.6 2023. The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence teamed up with AT&T to distribute 200 laptops to local families and students.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Students and Boys and Girls Club Volunteers hand out laptops courtesy of AT&T to Lawrence families at the Center for Great Futures on Dec. 6, 2023.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Megan Hill, director of donor engagement at Boys and Girls Club Lawrence, attends a laptop distribution event at the Center for Great Futures on Wednesday Dec 6. 2023. The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence teamed up with AT&T to distribute 200 laptops to local families and students.