Comcast today announced it is equipping five nonprofits in Atlantic 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 centers, Comcast is providing robust WiFi coverage at these five sites that are expected to help hundreds of low-income students and community members get online:
- Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City (Drexel Ave. Club)
- Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City (Chelsea Club)
- Atlantic City Rescue Mission
- Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League (main office)
- Police Athletic League Buddy Adventure Zone (Egg Harbor)
“Thanks to Comcast, our great partner in working to bridge the digital divide for our Clubs Kids in Atlantic City,” said Stephanie Koch, CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. “The tools they are providing us with will enhance learning opportunities, help our youth explore careers and hone their skills academically and technically, as they prepare for a brighter future.”
In March, Comcast announced a $1 billion commitment over ten years in continued support of digital equity, including its Lift Zones initiative, which aims to establish WiFi-connected safe spaces in 1,000+ community centers nationwide for students and adults by the end of 2021.
Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect millions of low-income people to the Internet at home since 2011 including nearly 32,000 in Atlantic County. 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, training and programming offered at these centers. Comcast has already launched more than 100 Lift Zones across Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey.
“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 Atlantic County families stay connected to vital resources.”
As digital equity is a company-wide focus at Comcast, Spectra also donated 30 laptops to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City on Wednesday, April 14. This was part of a multi-city initiative to support digital equity initiatives. Spectra representatives donated 30 laptops to each of five Boys and Girls Clubs locations: Atlantic City; Chester, PA.; Trenton, NJ; Chicago, Il.; and Miami, FL. Each laptop comes with six months of complimentary Internet Essentials service.
“Supporting the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club is part of our focus on community partnerships and is essential to our business operation,” said Spectra’s Jim McDonald, General Manager Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. “This donation supports youth development, next generation leadership, and future hospitality and event professionals in Atlantic City. We are proud to partner with the Spectra corporate office and Comcast to make this donation with the support of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).”
