As someone who makes her living using a computer and internet service, I understand how important it is for children to learn critical technology skills and realize the potential for future success if they know how to maneuver the outside world.
Today, I’m excited to share more about how Comcast works to provide resources for Portland area children to learn critical technology skills, participate in a technologically-rich education environment, and provide mentors to children from disadvantaged backgrounds through their various community initiatives, including:
- Schoolhouse Supplies’ Tools for Schools program
- Internet Essentials
- Cable in the Classroom
- Beyond School Walls mentoring program
- Digital Connectors
These education initiatives support Portland’s young people in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Tools for Schools is a program of Schoolhouse Supplies, an organization that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies. Tools for Schools partners local businesses with Portland schools and the participating sponsors provide backpacks filled with essential supplies for each student.
Comcast sponsors two schools in North Portland: Faubion, a pre K-8 school with a 79% free or reduced lunch rate, and César Chávez, a K-8 school, with 88% free or reduced lunch rate. Comcast’s sponsorship of these two local schools represents both a financial and a relational commitment: it takes thousands of dollars to provide every student with a backpack and school supplies, plus Comcast employees spend hours to prepare these gifts every summer.
AT HOME
Internet Essentials is a Comcast program that provides high-speed internet service to low-income households to give school-aged children the technological tools they need at home to be successful at school. This program also gives all members of the household access to the internet to research helpful resources, communicate with others, and search for jobs.
Households that meet the following qualifications can get Comcast internet service for just $9.95 per month with no contract or installation fee:
- Have at least one child who qualifies for the National School Lunch Program.
- Do not have outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than a year old. Families with outstanding debt more than one year old may still be eligible.
- Live in an area where Comcast Internet Service is available but have not subscribed to it within the last 90 days.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Beyond School Walls is a one-to-one youth mentoring program through which children from local schools meet with a Comcast employee mentor every other week during the school year. The program introduces children to jobs at an early age, allowing them to experience what it means to work for a corporation and the educational requirements needed to achieve professional success.
I applaud Comcast for not only providing supplies and services that many local kids don’t have at their disposal, like internet service and school supplies, while building valuable relationships with their employees.
You can find out more about Comcast’s educational initiatives and how Comcast corporate and its employees are working to support Portland’s youth here!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Comcast. The opinions and text are all mine.
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