laptop or tablet with which to do it—has never been more critical. Photo credit (Audacy / Sheletta Brundidge / Comcast)
The ability to log on to the internet—and the need to have a computer, laptop or tablet with which to do it—has never been more critical. From students with school assignments to job seekers and workers to seniors, having Wi-Fi access is necessary for an increasing number of aspects of daily life.
This week Comcast made another investment to ensure that more members of the community are connected. Comcast has added four more nonprofit sites to its network of Lift Zones, bringing the number of Lift Zones in the Twin Cities to 115.
Comcast’s new Lift Zone partner organizations are:
-The International Institute, which works with immigrants and refugees in St. Paul
-Every Third Saturday, a veteran’s support nonprofit based in Minneapolis,
-Al Ma’uun, a volunteer based neighborhood organization in North Minneapolis
-GMCC, a Minneapolis multi-cultural interfaith nonprofit.
Comcast is also donating 250 laptops to the International Institute.
“Access is important but devices mean as much as access,” said Broderick Johnson, Comcast executive vice president for public policy and diversity. “We want to erase the digital divide. The 250 laptops donated to this Institute will help their work with refugee families so children can get the help they need with education and parents can get the help they need with job opportunities."
Fully equipped with free internet access powered by Comcast Business, the Lift Zones enable all community members to get online and fully participate in the digital economy. A list of Comcast Lift Zones can be found here .
Twin Cities Lift Zones are located in faith communities, park and rec buildings, nonprofits and community organizations. They provide robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces within a network of Comcast’s nonprofit partners.
“It’s important to help people get online. That’s a lot our philanthropic work, and it means a lot to our employees and how they feel about the company they work for,” Broderick said. “They want to feel proud about what we’re doing in the communities where they live and work.”
To ease the digital divide among low-income families and people living on fixed incomes, Comcast also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program. That provides qualifying households with a $30 per month credit toward their internet and mobile services. New and existing Xfinity Internet or Internet Essentials customers can learn more about the program and sign up here.