TMCnet News
Comcast and One Economy Launch Comcast Digital Connectors Programs in PhiladelphiaDec 03, 2010 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Comcast and One Economy celebrated the success of a technology learning and service initiative that teaches young people about broadband technologies and how to put that knowledge to work while serving the Philadelphia community. The program, called Comcast Digital Connectors, launched its first classes in 2009 at Project H.O.M.E. and the People's Emergency Center (PEC) and it currently takes place during after-school hours throughout the year. In the Comcast Digital Connectors program, 43 high school students from diverse and low-income backgrounds currently gather at Project H.O.M.E.'s Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs in North Central Philadelphia, and at PEC classrooms in West Philadelphia three times a week to learn digital literacy skills. Participants also volunteer their time at community-based organizations and in their own homes to help improve digital literacy in their neighborhoods. "Today's youth need the technological skills and knowledge to compete for jobs in this global economy," said U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah. "The Comcast Digital Connectors programs at Project H.O.M.E. and PEC are helping to combat the digital divide by providing Philadelphia's youth with the right tools and training, while also teaching them an important lesson in strengthening our communities through service." "This is a really exciting and extremely important initiative for Comcast and the Comcast Foundation. Developing digital literacy skills in young people is essential to their future and to the future of the nation's workforce," said David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corp. "Along with digital education, these young people from diverse, low-income communities experience a unique opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of others by cultivating leadership skills, impacting their neighborhoods through community service and preparing for bright futures." As a residential Internet service provider, Comcast is contributing to One Economy's mission to maximize the potential of technology in cities and towns across the country. The company has made a nearly $5 million financial and in-kind commitment to sponsor the Digital Connectors program for three years, beginning in 2009. Comcast's commitment to the Digital Connectors initiative will help increase the number of youth who will benefit from the program. To date, more than 3,500 young people have contributed over 77,000 hours of community service through the Digital Connectors initiative. The One Economy-Comcast partnership aims to double the number of participants in the program and the hours of service they contribute to their communities. One Economy founded the Digital Connectors program and curriculum in 2003. Today, there are youth engaged in Digital Connectors programs throughout the United States as well as similar digital literacy initiatives globally. Digital Connectors is designed to empower students as well as their families and communities to use technology to enhance their lives. A major program requirement is for participants to give back to their community by training family members and residents on how to use technology effectively. "Comcast's leadership in closing the digital divide is having a lasting impact on the lives of the students and their families in North Philadelphia," said Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director, President and Founder of Project H.O.M.E. "We are tremendously grateful to partner with Comcast to build a brighter future for the students and our City." "PEC is proud to partner with One Economy and Comcast to bring Digital Connectors to our West Philadelphia community. This incredible program is delivering technology skills to bright students in underserved areas right now," said Farah M. Jimenez, President and CEO, People's Emergency Center. "At PEC we've already seen how the program opens doors for these students academically, creatively, in exercising critical thinking skills, and by developing leadership skills among them." The curriculum for Comcast Digital Connectors covers several broad areas to help the program participants learn real world applications for broadband technology. Modules include leadership principles, real world learning opportunities, digital technology skills development, community service, financial literacy and civic journalism. The students learn how to network computer labs, connect wireless access points and create video documentaries. Additionally, they are given instruction in entrepreneurship, healthy living, career and character development. The program also includes creative media projects intended to inspire the Digital Connectors to put broadband and Internet technology to their greatest use. Recent classes have demonstrated their new skills by working on community service projects to aid local businesses and residents in their neighborhoods. Students at PEC created an online directory (lancasteravephilly.com) to promote the historic Philadelphia communities of Mantua, Powelton Village, Saunders Park, and West Powelton, and the businesses that serve them. And at Project H.O.M.E., students offered free computer repair over the course of a month to people in the community. The assistance ranged from help with software issues such as operating system updates, clearing of unwanted programs and unused software to the installation of new adapter cards, power supplies, RAM, hard drives and network cards. "Young people are ready to embrace the ever changing technology that is shaping our world. It will be those young people who will leverage that technology to improve their lives and their communities," said Kelley Dunne, CEO of One Economy. "The Digital Connectors program has created empowered workplace leaders and caring stewards of our communities. Together these youth are creating a lasting culture of technology use and broadband adoption across the United States." In addition to Philadelphia, the Comcast Digital Connectors program has launched in Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia; Tacoma, Washington; Modesto, California; Houston, Texas; Springfield, Massachusetts; Morgantown, West Virginia; Burlington, Vermont; Dearborn, Michigan; Tallahassee, Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida; Denver, Colorado; Hartford, Connecticut and other U.S. cities. The program is expected to be rolled out to more than 50 locations by the end of this year. The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corp. in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. Comcast Corp. is a provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. More Information: www.comcast.com/community www.one-economy.com www.projecthome.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |