AT&T has donated $1 million to Communities in Schools San Antonio to be used to increase graduation rates and student outcomes at LEE, Roosevelt, McCollum, Lanier, and Southwest High Schools, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
AT&T's J.D. Salinas says everything good starts with a good education.
"You want ot reduce juvenile crime, you invest in education," he said. "You want to reduce how many people are in jail, you invest in education. You want to attract more Fortune 500 companies, education is where it's at."
San Antonio is one of ten communities to receive a total of $9.25 million to education based organizations across the country.
Southwest Side Councilman Rey Saldana says one thing Communities in Schools will do with the donation is to place mentors in the schools to help students who are struggling to reach graduation and other goals. He talks about the mentors CIS now places in schools and the value they bring.
He talks about the times he has ridden through his district with an SAPD officer on patrol.
"I think about the cases where we meet with young people, who have so much going on with their lives, and what they don't have is a Ms. Chrsitian or a Mr. Gonzalez who will help them get back on the path."
AT&T says the donation will 'Support CIS SA efforts to reach 560 predominately low income students--51% of whom are female--in five high risk high schools across San Antonio with the aim of increasing graduation rates, improving student achievement, and improving access to and success in post-secondary education opportunities.'
PHOTO: AT&T'S J.D. SALINAS AND JESSICA WEAVER, CEO OF COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS.