Comcast has awarded a total of $30,000 and 100 laptops to two Richmond organizations – the YMCA of Greater Richmond and International Rescue Committee (IRC) – which will be split equally and used to help community members at both organizations with broadband adoption, digital skills building and career opportunities. Through its partnership with Welcome.US, Comcast supports nonprofits helping local immigrant communities fill those gaps. This announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.
“These resources are a game-changer for helping our community build the skills needed to succeed in today’s digital economy,” said Abigail Farris Rogers, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Richmond. “Comcast is an integral partner in the movement to bridge the digital divide in Richmond and beyond, and this investment will help take our Welcome Center programming and support for families to the next level.”
Comcast is also partnering with the YMCA of Greater Richmond and IRC to help residents learn about the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households with a credit of up to $30 per month toward their Internet and/or mobile service. Thanks to ACP, eligible Comcast customers can get home Internet through Comcast’s Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus at no cost once the federal credit is applied. Internet Essentials customers can also add a line of unlimited 5G cellular data ($45) through Xfinity Mobile for as little as $24.95/month after the ACP benefit is applied.
“Supporting organizations like the YMCA of Greater Richmond and IRC is a core part of our mission to ensure everyone – regardless of socioeconomic status – has the tools and confidence to thrive in the digital world,” said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Beltway Region. “We’re excited to strengthen our community partnerships in Richmond to help more residents get online and accelerate career opportunities.”
Comcast is deeply committed to advancing digital equity in the communities it serves. Over the past three years, the company has committed $34.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions to more than 160 local non-profits in Virginia. This investment includes the installation of 12 Lift Zones https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/lift-zones– including three in Richmond – which provide free, high-speed WiFi service to local community centers to promote digital learning.
For additional information on Project UP and Comcast’s digital equity initiatives, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.
