Representatives from Comcast and the Alliance for Digital Equity (the Alliance) were joined by Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and representatives from the offices of United States Senator Edward Markey and Massachusetts State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa at BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity to announce a $50,000 grant and donation of 30 laptops to support the Alliance’s Digital Navigation Program.
The Alliance is a coalition, comprised of 100 community partners across western Massachusetts, that is housed under Baystate Health’s Community Health Initiative. The Alliance provides low-income families, older adults, and people living with disabilities with a range of digital equity solutions, including skills training and enrollment support for affordable Internet programs. The Alliance’s Digital Navigation Program seeks to maintain an active network of Digital Navigators, which the National Digital Inclusion Alliance defines as trusted guides who provide individualized support to community members so they can access connectivity, devices, and digital skills.
“I applaud Comcast for providing the Alliance with this generous donation, which addresses the critical need for Internet access and computer literacy in today’s digital age,” said Mayor Sciarra. “The Digital Navigation Program is a lifeline for residents who need help connecting to affordable Internet at home so they can access vital resources online, including educational content, workforce development programs, and health services.”
“Connection to the Internet is essential to exist in modern life. From looking for work, paying bills, and reading the news, those without a reliable internet connection are at a severe disadvantage,” said Representative Sabadosa. “While we often talk about the importance of connecting rural communities, which is critical, the gaps in service within our urban areas are also a significant issue in the Commonwealth. It is therefore heartening to see that grants to the Alliance will support residents both in rural and urban settings, giving them safe, reliable, and affordable internet access.
Since the Alliance’s inception in 2020, Comcast has provided more than $200,000 in grant support. This $50,000 grant from Comcast will enable the Alliance to expand its Digital Navigation Program by adding a Digital Navigation Coordinator, who will arrange more trainings, communicate best practices, and serve as counsel to the Alliance’s network of community-based guides. Additionally, the donated laptops will be given to 30 of the Alliance’s Digital Navigators to support their work to connect more residents in western Massachusetts to affordable broadband.
“Comcast has been a true partner in providing essential funding to the Alliance, and we’re grateful for their continued support,” said Kathy Bisbee, Director of the Alliance for Digital Equity. “Thanks to this grant, we’ll be able to enhance our training program for Digital Navigators and provide them with new equipment and additional support so they can better help community members.”
“Comcast is proud to be a founding partner of the Alliance in its mission to help residents across western Massachusetts overcome barriers to Internet adoption,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region. “Through funding digital skills training, Comcast understands how important it is to empower individuals to connect to the Internet and help them learn to leverage online platforms, including job search engines and career development websites.”
The grant from Comcast is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 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.
Comcast is deeply committed to advancing digital equity in the communities it serves. Over the past three years, the company has provided more than $54 million in cash and in-kind contributions to 238 non-profits in Massachusetts, including the Alliance. 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 732,000 low-income Massachusetts residents to broadband service at home. Additionally, Comcast has launched 76 Lift Zones in Massachusetts to provide free, high-speed WiFi and digital skills training at local community centers to promote digital learning.
Throughout western Massachusetts, Comcast provides Internet, mobile, and entertainment from Xfinity to residents, and connectivity, networking, cybersecurity, mobile, and managed solutions from Comcast Business to businesses.
