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AT&T Believes Initiative: Evolution, Key Programs, Partners
AT&T Believes initiative expanded to more cities through a network of Believers. An overview of the evolution, key programs, and non-profit or corporate partners of the AT&T Believes initiative is presented below.
Evolution, Key Programs, and Partners
- AT&T Believes initiative grew to more cities through a network of Believers, mainly AT&T employees living or working in the different cities. The company’s decision to expand to a specific city was guided by the number of employees and retirees living in the city and the number of stores owned.
- The growth to various cities occurred because the Believers had a passion to pursue the causes that mattered to them most and their neighborhood. They had the grit and determination to help their communities. They were determined to make a difference in their community.
- For instance, the inaugural AT&T Believe Chicago started after Believers drawn from the city sought to address unemployment and gun violence issues rampant in the neighborhood. By injecting opportunities into 19 Chicago neighborhoods with the highest unemployment rates and violence, Believe Chicago addressed the challenges.
- The AT&T Believe initiative model is aimed at lifting communities. The model entails a collaboration between the company’s employees and strong local organizations. It also incorporates people outside AT&T who share the same passion and vision.
- The model seeks to benefit both the business and the community. Implementing the model involves approaching employees living in certain cities and suggesting the need for the company to get involved in the issues facing them.
- AT&T also goes deeper into communities, convenes activists and organizers, and asks them to gather residents who share their perspective on what is happening around them. They also provide insights on gaps in service and support. After gathering the needed information, the company then moves in to address the key issues facing the community.
- One of the companies Believe partners with is STEM NOLA. AT&T Believe New Orleans connects AT&T employees to volunteer opportunities in STEM NOLA. The company seeks to expose, inspire, and engage members in the neighboring communities about opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Believe also partners with Emerson Electric as it seeks to accomplish the set goals in various cities.
- Believe partners with both profit and nonprofit organizations. Among the profit organizations include World Wide Technology and Emerson Electric. Nonprofit partners include Better Family Life, NPower, and LaunchCode. Believe partners with organizations from both sectors because it wants to inspire them to take similar initiatives, either jointly or on their own.
- Believe’s core focus issue is a specific challenge facing a given community. Thus, the core focus issue is specific to a given community. For example, the core focus issue in Philadelphia is fighting poverty and other challenges while in Denver, the focus is on teen suicide.