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25 AT&T 09 AR Investing in Sustainable Communities
Chaltu Spray
Chicago, Ill.
AT&T’s commitment to innovation extends to helping build a bright, sustainable future
for our communities and our world. Our AT&T Aspire initiative is an investment in
education and the development of the future workforce. Here’s the story of just one
young life that’s been shaped by educational programs Aspire impacts:
Meet Chaltu Spray. Several years ago, this 18-year-old college student was struggling
in school. Then she came to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Since 1887, this innovative
residential program in Chicago has been helping young people achieve their full potential.
It’s one of hundreds of programs around the country to receive significant funding
from AT&T — funding that supports Mercy Home’s efforts to help young people from
challenging backgrounds catch up to their peers academically, erase achievement gaps
and advance in school.
It’s a program that has made a big difference for Chaltu, who started college in September.
Today, as other freshmen have just begun pondering their majors, she has a clear path
mapped out. “I love the law, and I love philosophy, so majoring in political science is a
way to combine the two,” she says. “I’d like to go on to law school and from there go
international for my Ph.D. — London would be fantastic!”
Meanwhile, this confident young woman is enjoying campus life and working hard at her
studies. “The people here make it easy and fun to learn,” she says. But in the same breath
she adds, “You know, I didn’t always have fun learning.”
After she arrived at Mercy Home in 2003, tutors worked with Chaltu to build her math and
reading abilities. Education coordinators gave her a wide range of individualized support, from
strengthening her study skills to helping her choose a high school and accompanying her on
college visits. And the skills she learned in Mercy Home’s job-preparedness program
helped her earn internships with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Harris Bank.
“Mercy Home has taught me what it means to take responsibility for my life and never
give up on my dreams,” she says.
When she was 18 months old, Chaltu’s family adopted her from Ethiopia. Her name
means “beautiful flower.” Thanks to her strong will and big dreams — with a great
assist from Mercy Home — this flower is blossoming.
Reflecting AT&T’s commitment to sustainability, the company tracks its progress against
goals in six established focus areas: Strengthening Communities; Investing in People;
Leading with Integrity; Minimizing our Environmental Impact; Connecting People and
Business; and Leading Innovation and Technology. To learn more, visit www.att.com/csr