Representatives from Comcast and Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut were joined by State Senator Cathy Osten, State Representatives Kevin Ryan, Anthony Nolan and Derell Wilson, as well as Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, to announce a $50,000 grant to Easterseals Veterans Rally Point for digital literacy training and media skills development. The grant from Comcast is 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.
“In today’s digital age it’s imperative that all people develop an understanding of how to use the computer and the Internet,” said State Representative Kevin Ryan. “This grant from Comcast will enable Easterseals to provide more opportunities for this kind of education at Veterans Rally Point, which in turn will help those in our military community find jobs and stay connected to support resources.”
“I applaud Comcast for providing Easterseals Veterans Rally Point with a grant to address the critical need for computer competency and media basics in today’s Internet age,” said State Representative and House Veterans’ Chair Anthony Nolan. “This donation provides opportunities for members of our military and veteran community to build and deepen their technical knowledge, which is an asset for both their personal and professional futures.”
Easterseals Veterans Rally Point is Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut’s center of excellence facility in Norwich, which provides military service members, veterans and their families with comprehensive support, skill-building opportunities and community engagement. The grant from Comcast will enhance the media lab at Veterans Rally Point, providing community members with new equipment for basic and advanced digital skills training, including job search utilization, social media, resume composition and other techniques to find employment and access support networks online, as they navigate the civilian world. In addition, the grant is funding new equipment for the facility’s broadcasting studio, which members use to produce, record and edit video and podcast content that shares their personal stories and raises awareness of veteran-related issues.
“We are grateful to Comcast for supporting Veterans Rally Point. Comcast has been a true partner in providing the essential funding to launch this initiative, which ensures that the voices of our veteran community are heard,” said Robin Sharp, President and CEO of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut. “Through the program, our veterans will gain the digital literacy skills needed to provide a foundation for future career opportunities and personal growth.”
“Comcast is proud of our commitment to the military community and that this grant will help connect more returning service members to vital resources, such as telehealth, VA benefits, workforce opportunities and education programs,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region.
“We value our partnership with Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut and are honored to support their work to provide veterans with digital tools and skills that will help them build careers as they transition to civilian life.”
Comcast is deeply committed to advancing digital equity in the communities it serves. Over the past three years, the company has provided $12.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions to 195 non-profits in Connecticut. This investment includes digital equity programs such as Internet Essentials, Lift Zones and Digital Navigators. Since its inception in 2011, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 344,000 low-income Connecticut residents to broadband service at home. Additionally, Comcast has launched 32 Lift Zones in Connecticut to provide free, high-speed WiFi and digital skills training at local community centers to promote digital learning.
For additional information on Project UP and Comcast’s digital equity initiatives, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.
