JMG gets grant to support study of impact of COVID-19 on Maine students

AUGUSTA -JMG has received a $20,000 grant from AT&T to support the organization’s continued response to the impact of COVID-19 on Maine students.
“Like so many young people in Maine, the students JMG works with are full of promise, but face barriers to educational success,” said Craig Larrabee, JMG President and CEO. “COVID-19 has created new challenges and JMG appreciates the support of AT&T as we focus on helping students overcome these challenges and continue to pursue their potential.”
Within 24 hours of schools shutting down in March, JMG began working with public school partners to transition to distance learning. JMG Specialists reached out to students and heard stories of job losses and food insecurity. Thanks to generous support from private funders, JMG raised $300,000 for a Pandemic Student Emergency Response Fund to address the critical needs of its students.
“We are grateful for the dedicated work of JMG and honored to play a small role in their critical efforts,” said Owen Smith, President of AT&T Maine. “These challenging times have highlighted how important it is for all of us to work together as one. JMG is helping Maine students maintain healthy minds and bodies through educational initiatives and food support programs. By supporting organizations like JMG, we hope to help create a network of expertise in community engagement so the right resources reach the people who need them most.”
This local effort to support JMG is part of AT&T’s nationwide commitments to supporting distance learning programs and hunger relief aid during the COVID-19 crisis.
In order to support numerous distance learning initiatives across the country, AT&T established the Distance Learning & Family Connections Fund. AT&T committed $5.5 million last month to provide nourishing meals for first responders, medical personnel and others in need impacted by COVID-19. That funding supported the organizations World Central Kitchen, Feeding America, The Salvation Army and Team Rubicon.
JMG is a statewide, private nonprofit working with students who face barriers to education. JMG provides more than 11,000 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to graduate from high school, attain post-secondary credentials, and pursue meaningful careers. JMG graduates become engaging members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy. AT&T has been a longtime supporter of JMG, donating more than $700,000 to JMG over the past 10 years.