AT&T, COMPUDOPT PROVIDE 50 LAPTOPS TO CASA DE AMIGOS 

(July 31, 2024)

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- AT&T and Compudopt provided Casa de Amigos 50 refurbished laptops Wednesday (July 31, 2024) to distribute to Midland residents in need. The computers, funded by an AT&T contribution, were given to Casa de Amigos students and families.

Mayor Lori Blong, District 2 Councilman John Norman and state Rep. Tom Craddick were at the MLK Center during the Midland Device Distribution event. Ed Mayberry, pastor at Community Worship Center and Tonya Eckert, executive director of Casa de Amigos, were also there.

“Our mission at Casa de Amigos is to improve the quality of life throughout the community by helping people help themselves. Laptops and digital skills are excellent tools to help students in their work to build a bright future for themselves,” Eckert said. “We are very grateful for generous support from AT&T and Compudopt as we work to serve our neighbors and build stronger communities.”

U.S. Census Bureau data indicate almost 2.8 million households and 7 million people in Texas lack broadband access. Twenty-three percent of Texans are unable to attend online classes, see a healthcare provider virtually from their living room, fill out a job application online, or connect online to start a business or access virtual marketplaces from their kitchen table. On a national scale, more than one-third (35%) of U.S households lack connection to the internet.

“A stronger Texas starts with students that are well-equipped with technology, skills and connectivity to help them succeed in school and in life,” Craddick said. “Today’s distribution of laptops from AT&T and Compudopt brings a world of opportunity to the fingertips of these students and we appreciate their efforts to support the students of Midland.”

This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.

“As part of AT&T’s nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide, we are proud to work with Compudopt, Midland leadership and Casa de Amigos to assist in providing 50 refurbished laptops to students in this community,” said Leslie Ward, State President, AT&T Texas. “Access to computers is vital in helping to bridge the digital divide, and we are glad we can assist in providing these resources to those that need them most.