Stronger Together: Supporting the Well-Being of the Workers Who Keep America Connected 

Every day, tower climbers and field technicians clip in and climb hundreds of feet into the air to keep our nation connected. They install the antennas, run the fiber and maintain the equipment that carry our calls, keep first responders talking and link our communities. Their work happens high above us and largely out of sight, yet every one of us depends on it. 

The job is physically taxing, but its toll doesn’t end when a climber reaches the ground. Long stretches on the road keep technicians away from family and friends, and stress, fatigue and isolation can quietly add up. In a profession that rewards toughness, asking for help doesn’t always come easily. That’s why the Tough Tower Foundation was established, and the WIA Foundation is proud to announce a $7,500 donation to the organization to support its work on behalf of tower climbers, telecom professionals and their families. 

The Tough Tower Foundation is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of telecommunications workers, particularly tower climbers and other field technicians. The Foundation is also behind the Tough Tower competition, an annual tower skills event in North Jackson, Ohio, that brings the industry together to celebrate safety, training, and excellence. The event raises awareness for the Foundation and its mission, inspiring donations and sponsorships that help the nonprofit provide mental health and financial wellness programs for telecom workers. 

At the center of that work is Tower Strong, the Foundation’s suicide prevention and financial wellness program, made possible through the generosity of donors and a partnership with ComPsych, a global leader in mental health and well-being.  

Tower Strong offers telecom workers confidential help 24/7 by call or text, connecting them with experts and resources for whatever they’re facing – finances, family, health, job struggles, isolation, or relationships. 

But as Tower Strong continues to develop through donations and event sponsorships, it will become more than a hotline. Through peer support training, it will equip telecom workers to recognize signs of distress in their teammates and respond effectively. On-site awareness workshops will bring that training directly to tower sites, training centers, and industry events. The foundation will also develop industry-specific mental health materials, create outreach resources that help families understand the pressures their loved ones face, and provide online financial tools with personalized guidance on budgeting and planning. Together, these efforts will give workers safe, stigma-free ways to get help – and to help each other. 

Chris Thomas, a founding board member of the Tough Tower Foundation, said the gift will go straight to that work: 

“The WIA Foundation’s donation will directly fund the expansion of Tower Strong, our suicide prevention and financial wellness program, and strengthen critical outreach, training and crisis support resources for the critical workers who keep America’s wireless infrastructure operating safely and reliably. This investment will allow us to reach an additional 200 to 400 telecom professionals over the next 12 to 24 months. Together, we can build a safer, healthier future for the people who keep our nation connected.” 

— Chris Thomas, Founding Board Member and Partner, Tough Tower Foundation 

For the WIA Foundation, this is a natural extension of our commitment to the people behind the networks. WIA has long championed workforce safety and professional development, and protecting workers often means looking out for their mental well-being as much as their physical safety. 

“The men and women who climb our towers are the backbone of this industry, and we owe them more than our thanks. We’ve spent years building a strong safety culture. Mental health belongs in that same conversation. The Tough Tower Foundation is meeting climbers where they are, and the WIA Foundation is proud to support Tower Strong so that every technician knows they don’t have to carry the weight alone.” 

— Patrick Halley, WIA Foundation Board Director and WIA President and CEO 

We encourage everyone in our industry to check in on their crews, their colleagues and themselves. If you or someone you work with is struggling, Tower Strong offers confidential help 24/7: call or text 234-45-TOWER (234-458-6937). Learn more at toughtower.org. 

Every tower climber, technician and crew member plays a part in keeping our communities connected. They deserve to be supported, on and off the tower. WIA and the WIA Foundation thank all tower crew members for the work you do to keep us all connected.