The Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi receive technology grants from the Comcast Foundation totaling $37,000
JACKSON, Miss., December 9, 2016 – This week, The Comcast Foundation awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi with $37,000 in grants to support technology and mentoring programs for local youth in the Jackson and Hattiesburg (MS) communities.
The Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi (BGCCM) received a $20,000 MY.FUTURE grant from the Comcast Foundation during the dedication of the new “Comcast Tech Lab” at The Boys & Girls Club Sykes Unit. MY.FUTURE is a technology initiative designed to teach digital literacy skills. Using state-of-the art technology and equipment provided to the Club through this grant, Boys and Girls Club kids at the Sykes Unit will receive personalized, hands-on tutorials; learn how to safely engage online; and discover technology skills needed to navigate today’s digital world.
“Technology is part of innovation, and is grounded in becoming what the world looks like,” said Penney King, President/CEO of BGCCM. “The Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi is grateful to Comcast for investing in our Club members’ futures and giving them the opportunity to broaden their horizons.”
The Comcast Foundation also presented a $17,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Mississippi, which will provide technology supplies, professional development training and educational materials to support youth mentoring programs in Jackson and Hattiesburg. BBBS provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships to change their lives for the better.
Chris Burkett, Director of State Programs with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi, is grateful for this support from the Comcast Foundation. “Not only does Comcast actively work to provide low cost internet services to BBBS families through the Internet Essentials program, this gift from the foundation will also ensure that more boys and girls benefit from the positive outcomes of one-to-one mentoring relationships,” said Burkett. “Comcast is a great partner both locally and nationally to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we appreciate their dedication to kids and families in our community.”
“These grants reaffirm Comcast’s commitment to the community,” said Ronnie Colvin, Comcast Sr. Director of External Affairs. “Through our great partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club, we are harnessing the power of technology to expand digital literacy and help conquer the digital divide.”
