The streets of Penn’s Landing were recently filled with the sights and sounds of Latin American culture during the annual Hispanic Fiesta, hosted by Concilio, Philadelphia’s oldest Latino organization. Comcast was proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the two-day Fiesta – allowing us the opportunity to connect with the local community while supporting Concilio, one of our longtime partners working to address digital literacy in the city.
Comcast teammates joined the Hispanic Fiesta to spread the word about Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program for low-income households, as well as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a government program that provides up to $30 off Internet bills for low-income households. When customers combine ACP with Internet Essentials, which costs $9.95/month, or Internet Essentials Plus, which costs $29.95/month, it covers the entire cost of the program – removing cost as a barrier to Internet adoption.
“Comcast has a steadfast commitment to improve internet adoption by encouraging Philadelphians to take advantage of Internet Essentials and the Affordable Connectivity Program,” said Gabriel Torres, Vice President of Marketing of Comcast’s Freedom Region. “By working with partners like Concilio in the community and at events like the Hispanic Fiesta, we can help ensure everyone takes advantage of the resources available to connect to the Internet and thrive in today’s digital economy.”
Comcast launched Internet Essentials more than 10 years ago and Concilio has worked alongside us from the beginning, helping to spread the word about Internet Essentials and promote digital literacy programs, serving as a trusted voice in the community to help Latino community members get connected to the Internet.
More recently, we partnered with Concilio to host one of our WiFi-connected Lift Zones that provide a robust WiFi solution at community centers to help patrons get online. Comcast has launched more than 130 Lift Zones across the Philadelphia Region since 2020.
“Affordable, readily available Internet is key to strengthening quality of life in our communities,” said Concilio’s Executive Director Adonis Banegas. “From being one of Comcast’s first partners when the Internet Essentials program first began to hosting one of Comcast’s LIFT Zones today, we’ve committed to increasing Internet adoption in Philadelphia, and Comcast has been an invaluable partner in doing so.”
While progress has been made, there is more work to do, which is why Comcast was thrilled to announce a $20,000 grant to Concilio to support their continued efforts increasing digital equity in Philadelphia. In addition to the funding, we know that having a reliable device on which to access the Internet is key to ensuring the digital access and literacy needed to succeed, so we also surprised 160 deserving students from Concilio with a free laptop during the Fiesta.
We are closer than ever to closing the digital divide and it wouldn’t be possible without partners like Concilio.
Check out a gallery from the event below:
