Santiago Kibby was first in line Wednesday to receive one of 200 refurbished laptop computers being distributed by AT&T at the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois in Elgin.

The event was part of the company’s Connectivity Week, held in partnership with Compudopt, a nonprofit that overhauls computers and loads them with software to be given to those in need, and Santiago was excited to be part of it, he said.

“It’s nice of AT&T to support everybody in the Boys and Girls Club,” the 12-year-old said.

In addition to those distributed in Elgin, another 450 laptops were presented to members of Boys & Girls clubs in Chicago, Springfield, Ford Heights and Waukegan.

Millions of families around the country don’t have access to the internet or to a device, like a laptop, that can be connected to the internet, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Known as the digital divide, AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030, the company said.

They have so far distributed more than 5,000 computers and devices to families in Illinois since 2021, according to a new release.

“Today is a special day for AT&T,” Eileen Mitchell, president of Midwest states for AT&T, said at the local event. “At AT&T we are focused on bridging the digital divide. We believe when you connect someone to the internet, you are connecting them to greater possibilities. … Connection changes everything.

“Boys & Girls Club members may find new interests exploring the internet at home that may inspire them to become a teacher, an engineer, or a doctor,” Mitchell said. “Or maybe they will design buildings or create music or video games.”

TJ Hanes, senior manager of data analytics for Compudopt, announced that club members will have free customer service for two years and that AT&T had installed the latest version of Windows Office on all off the computers.

Elizabeth Moe Garcia, chief development officer for the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois, said AT&T is a longtime partner that has done a lot to benefit the organization.

The donation of computers is huge because “a lot of our families don’t have devices,” Garcia said.

Because of family income levels, about 80% of the club’s membership qualify for free and reduced lunch, she said.

“When that is happening, devices aren’t always in the home,” she said. “At a time when gas prices continue to fluctuate and grocery prices are higher, families are feeling the pinch on their regular purchases, and a luxury, like a computer, (isn’t possible),” she said.

But these days a computer isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity, Garcia said. “This is a way to improve connectivity, reduce the digital divide and improve academic success,” she said.

Club board member April Wells said she was touched by the joy she saw Wednesday.

“I think one of the things it speaks to is the aspiration capacity,” Well said. “It’s something to own that belongs to them that is brand new,” she said, and that empowers children.

The donation is especially important right now as Boys & Girls clubs nationwide face potential federal budget cuts, officials said.

“There are some big question marks out there about the opportunity to continue to get federal funding,” Garcia said. “One of those is the 21st Century (Community Learning Centers) grant program. There have been changes to AmeriCorps and different finance streams we rely on that allow us to serve as many kids as we are.”

The federal budget currently awaiting a Senate vote doesn’t include funding for the 21st Century grant program, Garcia said.

“We are hoping Congress will put it back in,” she said. “Funding is not only critical for our Boys & Girls Club, but clubs across the country. It’s thousands and thousands and thousands of children who rely on that program.”

Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois has about 3,000 club members across 35 sites throughout its region.

“We are continuing to grow,” Garcia said. If even one financial stream goes away, it will be a challenge to maintain services and continue to grow, she said.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.