Comcast has awarded $15,000 and 50 laptops to Catholic Charities DC to help community members at the organization 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.
“Comcast understands the important role that the Internet and digital skills training play in advancing career opportunities,” said Msgr. John J. Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities DC. “This investment is a huge boost for our clients who are accessing digital literacy programs and will help ensure the community members we serve have the digital skills to thrive in today’s economy.”
Comcast is also partnering with Catholic Charities DC 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.
“Digital skills are a must-have to compete in today’s workforce,” said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Beltway Region. “Through partnerships with organizations like Catholic Charities DC, we can make a serious impact in helping families get online and jumpstart career opportunities.”
Comcast is deeply committed to advancing digital equity in the communities it serves. The company recently partnered with a D.C. nonprofit to launch a Digital Navigator program – which trains individuals associated with trusted community organizations to help residents in Wards 7 and 8 learn about free and low-cost Internet options and how to build their digital skills. Comcast has also installed more than 60 Lift Zones in D.C. – which provide free, high-speed WiFi service to local community centers to promote digital learning. Additionally, over the past two years, Comcast has awarded $2 million in grants as well as technology and marketing resources to more than 300 D.C. small business owned by women and people of color through the Comcast RISE program.
For additional information on Project UP and Comcast’s digital equity initiatives, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.
