Comcast announced it will donate a total of $30,000 in grants and 500 laptop computers, valued at $150,000, to five Grand Rapids nonprofit organizations to help advance digital equity for even more students and families.
The grants will help educate individuals about the importance of internet adoption, digital literacy and programs available to help get more families online. The nonprofit organizations receiving laptops and funds include Hispanic Center of West Michigan, West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth and Urban League of West Michigan.
The computer donations and grants are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world.
“One critical lesson we learned through this pandemic is the necessity of digital access for everyone in our community,” said Evelyn Esparza, executive director of Hispanic Center of West Michigan. “The donation of laptops by Comcast and money to help drive awareness of the importance of an internet connection addresses two barriers limiting our families’ access to the digital world.”
Research shows low-income students and their families face numerous broadband adoption challenges, like housing insecurity, literacy challenges, language barriers, and broadband relevancy issues. Comcast’s digital equity efforts have been designed to address all these challenges. Through this donation of grants and technology, the company is intensifying awareness of these efforts to help reach families who traditionally lack access to programs, resources and skills needed to get online.
“Closing the digital divide is critical to ensuring success in education and economic mobility, now and in the future,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “I’m thrilled to see Comcast and our local nonprofit organization partners pool their resources and expertise to promote digital equity in Grand Rapids.”
For the past 10 years, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has connected more people to the internet and to the technology they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world. The program offers low-income families high-speed broadband Internet service for $9.95 per month, the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer, and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online, and in person.
Comcast has also launched three Lift Zones in Grand Rapids this year to assist families who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to the Internet in their home. They are located at the Baxter Community Center, New City Kids and the Hispanic Center of West Michigan. Lift Zones provide free robust WiFi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students and families get online, participate in distance learning, do homework, search for jobs, access healthcare information and public assistance.
The Federal Government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit is also available to new and existing Internet customers who qualify across all tiers of service, including Internet Essentials. Families who are interested in participating can receive up to a $50/month credit on their Internet bill from Comcast. Click here for more information.
