During an event at the Vermont State House, Comcast awarded Elevate Youth Services (EYS) a $25,000 grant to help the organization address barriers in digital inclusion for youth ages 12-26.
The $25,000 from Comcast will fund Elevate’s Youthlink Program, which will place technology in the hands of youth while promoting digital competency, online safety, social connection and transferrable career readiness skills.
“This couldn’t be more important in a rural state such as Vermont,” said Nicole Bachand, EYS Director of Operations. “In an era where more than 90% of jobs and our ability to access public resources require foundational digital competency, bridging this gap becomes paramount.”
Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region, expressed Comcast’s commitment to advancing digital equity: “We know the vital role the Internet plays in helping build a future of unlimited possibilities for everyone in the community. We are proud to support Elevate Youth Services in their efforts to provide program participants with technical skills training and computers to help set them up for success in an increasingly digital world.”
“Digital and mobile technology advances have delivered far-reaching benefits for industries and individuals, becoming integral to almost every aspect of life. For young people experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, for example, digital technology has the potential to be transformative in improving their circumstances,” said Bachand. “For this potential to be fully realized, barriers to digital inclusion, spanning adoption, affordability, usability, relevance and safety, must be addressed and in doing so, we can empower youth to overcome adversity and build brighter futures.”
The Youthlink Program will serve up to 75 youth. To learn more about this program, please call 802-229-9151.
