Comcast Thursday, September 15 announced two major community investment programs in the Twin Cities designed to bridge the digital divide for low income families and introduce young people to important digital literacy skills. Internet Essentials is the first program of its kind to directly address some of the most pressing barriers to broadband adoption by offering low cost broadband Internet service for families with children receiving free school lunches under the National School Lunch Program. Comcast Digital Connectors teaches teens and young adults about broadband technologies and how to put that knowledge to work in a wide range of community service activities. A number of elected officials and representatives from key government and social service agencies participated in today’s event, including Minnesota Education Commissioner Dr. Brenda Cassellius, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Neighborhood House Executive Director Armando Camacho, Bao Vang, Executive Director of Hmong American Partnership, and Jackie Turner from St. Paul Public Schools. Bill Black, Senior Director of Corporate Giving at the Comcast Foundation also presented.
Internet Essentials will help level the playing field for low-income families by connecting students online with their teachers and their school’s educational resources. The goal of Internet Essentials is to help close the digital divide and ensure more Americans benefit from the Internet’s vast resources. Internet Essentials participants will receive:
* Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month;
* No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;
* A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 + tax;
* Access to free digital literacy training in print, online or in person.
Citing recent reports showing Minnesota with the highest achievement gap in the nation, Education Commissioner Cassellius stressed the importance of making affordable broadband available to low income families. “These skills we give children are vital, not only for their education today, but for their success in college and careers tomorrow.” Cassellius added, “Comcast’s commitment to working with our superintendents and teachers, and providing the tools to succeed to students and parents is just an amazing gift.”
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman agreed. “Closing the digital divide has to be an integral part of closing the achievement gap in our community. That’s why this kind of program is so important. Every child we serve is one step closer to getting out of poverty and ultimately finding their place in the 21st century economy in the state of Minnesota.”
Comcast will sign up eligible families in the Internet Essentials program for at least three years and through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials provided the household still qualifies for the program until that child graduates from high school.
Meanwhile, the Comcast Digital Connectors program officially launches this fall at Neighborhood House and Hmong American Partnership, where groups of young people ages 14 to 21 from diverse, low-income backgrounds will learn digital literacy skills over one year in both after-school and summer training programs. Participants will also volunteer their time at community-based organizations, senior centers, churches, local schools and even in their homes to help improve digital literacy in their communities. The curriculum for the Comcast Digital Connectors program is designed to introduce core leadership values and life management skills, teach basic and advanced digital literacy skills, and expose youth to post-secondary and career choices. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with local Comcast employees serving as mentors by lending their leadership and expertise to this next generation of digital leaders and innovators.
“While America has increasingly become a digital nation, many low-income families are being left at a disadvantage because they don’t have Internet service at home. Comcast is leading the charge in making broadband adoption a reality for more families,” said Bill Wright, senior vice president of Comcast’s Twin Cities Region. “We’re proud to make these two innovative programs available in the Twin Cities area.”
