Comcast Announces $250,000 Grant to Fund Digital Navigators at 26 Chicago Public Library Branches, Plans to Donate 1,000 Laptops to 10 City Non-profits
National and local Comcast leaders joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Library (CPL) Commissioner Chris Brown today to announce a $250,000 donation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to fund digital navigators at 26 city library branches. Digital navigators are professionals who link Chicagoans to resources that can help them build the digital skills needed to succeed in school, participate in the workforce and connect to programs that can help them access and pay for broadband Internet service at home, including:
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Comcast Announces $250,000 Grant to fund Digital Navigators at 26 Chicago Public Library branches (Photo: Business Wire)
“The digital divide disproportionately impacts Chicago’s South and West side communities and has a severe, detrimental impact on our youth and our students,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “I am proud to stand here alongside Chicago Public Library, Comcast and our community partners to announce additional efforts to address this longstanding barrier to achievement and employment, and help Chicagoans thrive well into the 21st century.”
“More than a decade ago, Comcast set out to close the digital divide. We envisioned a network of community partners and programs that would empower Chicagoans with the tools to be exceptional in the 21st century: broadband internet, a computer and digital skills training,” said Broderick Johnson, Comcast’s Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Digital Equity. “Since then, the city, the libraries, Comcast and hundreds of community-based organizations have been on a journey to make digital equity a reality in Chicago, and we’ve made significant progress.”
"In Chicago today, our libraries aren't just about books – they're gateways to the digital world. Everyone deserves the skills to thrive online," said Commissioner Chris Brown. "With Comcast's invaluable support, we're making strides to ensure that. Beyond technology, it's about equipping every Chicagoan with the tools and confidence for a promising future."
This latest donation is on top of $500,000 in grants Comcast made to the foundation from 2017 through 2019 to establish “experience labs” at 11 CPL branches. Experience labs are designated spaces where community organizations and other providers can deliver digital skills training and other services to library patrons.
Comcast also to donate 1,000 laptops to 10 Chicago non-profit organizations
In line with the city’s recent efforts to help more residents get computers, Comcast also announced plans to donate 1,000 laptops to 10 community-based non-profit organizations in Chicago to provide to people they serve.
Following is a list of the CPL branches that will use funding from Comcast to support digital navigators and the city non-profits that will receive laptop donations.
CPL Branch
Neighborhood
Austin
Austin
Back of the Yards
Back of the Yards
Chicago Lawn
Chicago Lawn
Douglass
Douglass
Edgewater
Edgewater
Greater Grand Crossing
Greater Grand Crossing
Harold Washington Library Center
Chicago Loop
Humboldt Park
Humboldt Park
Kelly
Englewood
King
Bronzeville
Legler Regional
West Garfield Park
Little Village
Little Village
North Austin
North Austin
Pullman
Pullman
Richard M. Daley
Humboldt Park
Rogers Park
East Rogers Park
Sherman Park
Englewood
South Chicago
South Chicago
South Shore
South Shore
Sulzer Regional
Lincoln Square
Thurgood Marshall
Auburn-Gresham
Toman
Little Village
West Chicago Avenue
Austin
West Englewood
West Englewood
West Pullman
West Pullman
Woodson Regional
Washington Heights
Non-Profit
Neighborhood
Access Living
Near North Side
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago CC’s Little Village Club
Little Village
Bright Star Community Outreach
Grand Boulevard
BUILD Chicago
Austin
Chicago Urban League
Grand Boulevard
Chinese American Service League
Chinatown
Obama Foundation
Hyde Park
PODER
Gage Park
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
West Rogers Park
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Woodlawn
The grant funding and laptop donations announced today are part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help make digital equity a reality in communities the company serves in Chicago and elsewhere across its footprint. To that end, Comcast has made more than $91 million in cash and in-kind donations to community-based organizations in Illinois over the last three years, mostly to initiatives designed to foster digital equity. In addition, Comcast partnered with community-based organizations starting in 2020 to create Lift Zones, safe places where kids and adults can access free high-speed WiFi and learn digital skills. Today, there are Lift Zones in 48 community centers across the city and more than 1,250 nationwide.
“Comcast serves all 77 Chicago neighborhoods, and we provide the same services and the same level of service in each and every one of them, regardless of the zip code.” said Carl Jones, Jr., Comcast’s Regional Vice President of External and Government Affairs. “This has allowed us to bring Internet Essentials, Lift Zones and our other digital equity programs to neighborhoods across the city and help hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans harness the power of the Internet.”
For more information about Internet Essentials and ACP and its eligibility requirements, visit www.xfinity.com/free, call 1-855-8INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) or visit a local Xfinity Store. Click here for information about Comcast’s local digital equity efforts and presence in Chicago.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information
About Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region
With around 5,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://chicago.comcast.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.
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