Comcast awarded $80,000 in grants to two Falmouth-based organizations to help advance digital equity through Digital Navigator programs. Digital Navigators are trusted individuals affiliated with local nonprofits, educational institutions or governmental organizations who are trained to help people learn how to get online, use devices and acquire digital skills.
Community Health Center (CHC) will receive $50,000 from Comcast to support a full-time Digital Navigator position. CHC offers comprehensive, high quality compassionate health care to all, regardless of ability to pay. The Digital Navigator will assist patients with electronic tools, including various telehealth options, to ensure a great patient experience at CHC.
Elder Services of Cape Cod will receive $30,000 from Comcast to create a Digital Navigator program for seniors. Elder Services of Cape Codoffers computer training to adults over 60 years of age. The grant will support Elder Services outreach to additional senior citizens in need of digital skills support.
These grants are part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment 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. This investment includes digital equity programs such as Internet Essentials, Lift Zones and Digital Navigators.
“Thanks to Comcast’s support, we’re connecting patients to electronic tools to enable them to take more direct control of their healthcare and access self-service options for their healthcare needs,” said Karen L. Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Center. “Investments in our community such as this grant and continued affordable Internet options such as Internet Essentials change the lives of the individuals and families we serve every day.”
Comcast has a continued focus on the Falmouth area, including the recent announcement that it turbo-charged its next-generation network, with 2 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) download speeds and up to 10x faster upload speeds now available to all customers in Falmouth over the connections already existing in homes and businesses.
“We have a longstanding commitment to Falmouth and Cape Cod, and we understand the important role that the Internet and digital literacy play in helping to build a future of unlimited possibilities for everyone in the community,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region. “We are proud to support these local organizations to ensure residents have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world.”
Comcast is deeply committed to advancing digital equity in the communities it serves. Since its inception in 2011, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million low-income Americans to broadband service at home, including more than 620,000 in Massachusetts. Additionally, Comcast has launched more than 1,250 Lift Zones in community centers nationwide – with 76 locations in Massachusetts alone – to provide students and families with free, high-speed WiFi. Comcast also has 15 Digital Navigator programs throughout Massachusetts.
For additional information on Project UP and Comcast’s digital equity initiatives, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.
