Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)–January 6, 2017. Approximately 4,000 students in 11 cities across the country will be the first to receive a free mobile device and free high-speed wireless internet connectivity through Sprint (NYSE: S) and the Sprint Foundation’s 1Million Project pilot program. Upon successful completion of the pilot program, which begins this month, schools will also be invited to join the multiyear initiative through its entirety when it rolls out nationwide rollout for the 2017-2018 school year.
“Since we announced the 1Million Project, we’ve received an incredible amount of outreach from schools across the country that need help,” said Sprint’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Doug Michelman. “Too many students in America lack internet access at home and are falling behind in school and in life. We couldn’t be more excited and honored to work with these amazing institutions to launch the pilot program and start helping disadvantaged students reach their full potential.”
After receiving more than 100 applications for the pilot program, the following organizations will participate in the 1Million Project pilot program:
School Districts
Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City, MO
Paterson Public Schools, Paterson, NJ
Pomona Unified School District, Pomona, CA
Providence Public Schools, Providence, RI
San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA
High Schools
Brockton High School, Brockton, MA
Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Global Collegiate Academy, Dallas, TX Lake Worth Community High School, Lake Worth, FL
West Charlotte High School, Charlotte, NC
Youth Connection Charter School, Chicago, IL
Non-Profit Organization
Village of Park Forest – Teen Services Department, Park Forest, IL
Participating students will receive either a free smartphone, tablet, or hotspot device and 3GB of high-speed LTE data per month. Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month. Those who receive a smartphone can use it as a hotspot and for unlimited domestic calls and texts. All unlimited features are while on the Sprint network.
The pilot program will help Sprint learn more about how student needs may vary from market-to-market and school-to-school, how to allocate resources to differing schools and organizations and best practices for communicating with program participants. Learnings will be applied to the nationwide rollout at the start of the 2017-18 school year when, over the course of the next five years, 1 million high school students will join the program and receive a wireless device and service for up to four years in high school.
“We’ve decided to ask teachers and program sponsors for recommendations and honor roll students to reach our targeted,” said Park Forest Teen Services Coordinator Adina McCollough.
Schools, public housing authorities and non-profit organizations interested in participating in the 1Million Project beginning with the 2017-2018 school year may apply through March 31, 2017 at www.sprint.com/1millionproject.
How to Help:
Sprint customers and anyone looking to support the 1Million Project may contribute financially or donate a used mobile device. Visit a local Sprint store to make a cash donation or to donate an old mobile phone, tablet, or hotspot. Used mobile devices can also be donated online. 1 Devices will be recycled or resold with net proceeds benefiting the 1Million Project. Visit www.sprint.com/1millionproject for more information, and follow and support the program on social media by using the hashtag #1MillionProject.
Source: http://villageofparkforest.com
