Comcast officials announced a Comcast Foundation donation of $20,000 to the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South in support of its Young Achievers college and career readiness program at Booker T. Washington High School.
The Young Achievers Program is a college and career readiness program that engages middle school and high school students and helps prepare them for life after high school. The digital inclusion program provides computer basics and job application trainings and addresses the need for adequate access to technology.
The Comcast grant will support code-trainings by the Code Crew team for the Y-Achievers. Local Comcast employees will also have opportunities to share with students how their education can lead to job opportunities at Comcast.
“We are proud to be a recipient of the Comcast Foundation Grant to provide the training needed to expand digital skills with youth in the Y Achievers program,” said Mary Olds, Vice President of Strategic Relationships at YWCA of Memphis & the Mid-South. “This grant provides the Y Achievers the opportunity to learn basic coding skills with Code Crew and how to apply for jobs online.”
Comcast is committed to supporting organizations actively engaged in providing digital skills training programs and bridging the digital divide.
In addition to the grants from the Comcast Foundation, Comcast also responds to community needs through local sponsorships, employee volunteerism, providing technology, equipment and services to organizations, creating Wi-Fi connected Comcast Lift Zones, and connecting residents to Comcast’s low-cost broadband adoption program, Internet Essentials. Since its launch in 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million Americans to the Internet at home – including more than 200,000 in Greater Memphis and 680,000 in Tennessee.
Additionally, Comcast is participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). ACP is available for all speed tiers of Xfinity Internet service including Internet Essentials. ACP is a federal program that provides eligible customers up to a $30 per month credit toward their Internet and mobile services for the duration of the program.
“We are proud to support the critical work that our non-profit partners are doing in Memphis,” said Jason Gumbs, Regional Senior Vice President at Comcast. “Everyone should have access to the tools and skills needed to thrive in today’s online world.”
Today’s announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion pledge to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.
