Laptop donation and grant award presented at “Christmas with Santa” event at KIPP WAYS
Dec. 8, 2023 – Comcast announced today it has donated 120 laptops to KIPP WAYS Academy students who participate in Girls Inc of Greater Atlanta’s onsite afterschool program. Comcast also presented a $32,000 check to Girls Inc of Greater Atlanta to support its Summer University Camp, which uses gaming to teach basic coding. The laptop donation and check presentation took place on Friday at Girls Inc’s “Christmas with Santa” event sponsored by Comcast at KIPP WAYS in Atlanta. Atlanta City Council Member Byron Amos; Girls Inc representatives, members and their parents; representatives from KIPP WAYS and Comcast; and community partners attended the event.
Nationally, one third — or around 50 million workers — don’t have foundational digital skills, which means they aren’t able to use digital devices, ranging from computers to smart phones. Research from the National Skills Coalition and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta shows that acquiring digital skills can increase an individual’s income by as much as 23% and improve employers’ access to workers with the skills necessary to succeed in jobs in today’s digital economy.
“Comcast is hyper-focused on closing the digital skills gap in Atlanta and across the state,” Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President. “We are proud to support Girls Inc’s programs, which help students build the digital skills they need to succeed in school and prepare for the workforce.”
“Corporate partnerships and social impact investments from companies like Comcast are invaluable to the expansion of our mission to impact not just the girls we serve but their families,” said Tiffany Bailey-Collier, Girls Inc of Greater Atlanta CEO. “Not only do we inspire girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold, but together we meet the challenging digital divides in the communities we both serve.”
“Girls Inc is driving economic growth and opportunity by empowering its members with important skills for their future,” said Councilman Amos. “Support from companies like Comcast create unlimited possibilities for Girls Inc members.”
A part of KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, KIPP WAYS Campus is a primary and academy school (K-8) centered around Afrocentric teaching and values which empowers students through community service and activism.
“We appreciate Comcast’s laptop donation and its support for KIPPS WAYS and Girls Inc’s afterschool program,” said Nate Snyder, KIPP WAYS Principal. “Having a laptop of their own will help our scholars thrive and give them opportunities to learn skills that will help them later in life.”
The grant funding and laptop donations announced today are part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help make digital equity a reality in communities the company serves in Atlanta and elsewhere across its footprint. To that end, Comcast has made more than $48 million in cash and in-kind donations to community-based organizations in Georgia over the last three years, mostly to initiatives designed to foster digital equity. In addition, Comcast partnered with community-based organizations starting in 2020 to create Lift Zones, safe places where kids and adults can access free high-speed WiFi and learn digital skills. Today, there are Lift Zones in 13 community centers across Atlanta and more than 1,250 nationwide.
