Comcast today announced it is equipping eight different locations in New Castle County with WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” as part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy. Working with local community centers, Comcast is providing robust WiFi coverage at these eight sites that are expected to help approximately 600 low-income students get online:
- Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club (Newark)
- Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Club (Wilmington)
- Latin American Community Center (Wilmington)
- Kingswood Community Center (Wilmington)
- Police Athletic League of Wilmington (Wilmington)
- Walnut Street YMCA (Wilmington)
- Bellevue Community Center (Wilmington)
- West End Neighborhood House (Wilmington)
“It is more important than ever for local families to be able to get support and access to critical resources like the Internet at our center,” said Logan Herring, CEO of Kingswood Community Center, REACH Riverside, and The Warehouse. “We are thankful to be part of Comcast’s Lift Zone program so that we can provide the WiFi coverage needed for students to continue their education online.”
“The Lift Zone at our facility will help our virtual learning program students stay connected and engaged with their instructors and classmates throughout the day with no interruptions. It is an innovative solution for our students, families, and center, and will help us continue to build brighter futures together in our community,” said Christopher Purnell, Executive Director of Police Athletic League of Wilmington.
In September, Comcast announced a multiyear program to launch more than 1,000 WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” in community centers nationwide. This effort is part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet and provide resources to help them fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy.
Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect millions of low-income people to the Internet at home since 2011. Working with its network of nonprofit partners, Comcast is providing free WiFi hotspot connectivity in community centers with access to hundreds of hours of digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning.
“The pandemic has put many low-income families at risk of being left behind, and we’re proud to work with community partners to support them with Internet adoption and digital equity programs like this one,” said Jim Samaha, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Freedom Region. “We hope these Lift Zones help New Castle County families stay connected to vital resources.”