Lift Zone Look Back: Inspiredu
In 2020, Comcast launched Lift Zones, an extension of the company’s Project UP $1B digital equity initiative, which was designed to help community centers navigate online learning with Internet access and digital resources. Since its inception, Lift Zones have become safe spaces where communities can learn digital skills and pursue academic, professional and personal advancement. As of October 2022, Comcast has teamed up with nonprofit partners and city leaders to launch more than 1,250 WiFi-connected Lift Zones nationwide. In Atlanta, one such community partner is Inspiredu.
Learn about Inspiredu
Inspiredu has brought families together for fun days of learning while providing the essential tech tools and the support needed for a strong home learning environment in Atlanta since 2020. Inspiredu’s mission is to help underserved youth develop the skills needed for education and career success through technology‐based learning tools and engagement activities with their families, communities and schools.
Understanding Comcast’s Lift Zones
Comcast is committed to connecting underserved families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy. Lift Zones provide Internet access, powered by Comcast Business, in supportive neighborhood locations like nonprofits, community centers, faith-based organizations, and parks and recreation facilities. Lift Zones also complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program which provides in-home broadband connectivity.
“Providing free WiFi in strategic locations makes the digital world more accessible. Lift Zones are part of Comcast’s dedication to empowering and strengthening underserved communities to help close the digital divide,” said Lisa Walker Holloway, Comcast Senior Manager of External Affairs.
Digital Education
In the hands of trusted partners, Comcast’s Lift Zones provide not only free Internet connectivity but can also help organizations offer hundreds of hours of educational and digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning.
“Through our Lift Zone, we have really been able to carve out a digital space where students can come in and build their knowledge,” says Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu. “With partnerships like Comcast, we are able to redouble our efforts. Providing free high-speed Internet and digital skills training to galvanize the community has made our facility a beacon for digital equity.”
Digital Navigators
“When COVID-19 started, there was a huge appetite among adults to build and regain digital skills,” says Hicks. “Through our Lift Zone, we’re able to educate members of the community on how they can get the most out of digital tools from basic programs like email to more advanced applications like Word and PowerPoint.”
Comcast and Inspiredu continue to partner to bridge the digital divide in Atlanta. It was recently announced that with a $110,000 grant from Comcast, Inspiredu and Raising Expectations would launch Connect 404, a Digital Navigator program.
“Digital Navigators serve as guides on the path to digital inclusion. They offer guidance to members of the community on connectivity, training to use devices and help with building digital skills,” said Lisa Walker Holloway. “Comcast is proud to continue to partner with Inspiredu to bridge the digital divide.”
Learn about Inspiredu at https://www.iuatl.org/. For more information about Comcast’s commitment to closing the digital divide, including finding your nearest Lift Zone, please visit: https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/lift-zones