Recently, several technology giants have made strides towards advancing digital equity, including Comcast. The organization has provided donations of devices to programs in Thailand and announced a partnership with the city of Chicago.
Chi Device Donation Month
Chicago has come together with Compudopt, PCs for People, and World Business Chicago to launch the “Chi Device Donation Month.” This campaign encourages enterprises to donate computers, which are then refurbished and passed on by Compudopt and PCs for People.
The results from a recent survey conducted by the city of Chicago revealed that an estimated 260,000 homes did not have access to computers. Of these respondents, 61 percent voiced their struggles with affordability for digital technology, while 29 percent reported that devices were too expensive.
Expressing his concern, Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson remarked on the damaging consequences of the digital divide stating that it, “has a severe impact on our youth and students.“ He is determined to make an effort with the Chi Device Donation Month to “help put these devices into the hands of students and their families and remove a long-standing barrier to achievement, employment and helping Chicagoans thrive well into the 21st century.”
In a city press release, Megan Steckly, Compudopt’s CEO, explained that “digital inclusion lays the foundation for economic mobility and a more equitable future.”
Allison Coleman, the national marketing manager at PCs for People, also disclosed that PCs for People have been striving to meet the consistent need of additional computers from their existing corporation donation partners. However, the demand often outweighs availability, so the computer sourcing team is actively trying to engage additional companies to donate second-hand computers.
Global Efforts Being Made
Comcast additionally made a generous contribution of $60,000 to help the refurbishment efforts of the nonprofit organization, Free Geek located in Portland, Ore.
The telecommunications firm will also donate a generous amount to Free Geek’s upcoming Center for Technology Education & Digital Equity, enabling them to provide high-speed Wi-Fi at no cost. On top of that, Comcast is investing $240,000 towards a digital navigation campaign so those eligible can easily enroll in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program.
“This grassroots support group will partner with local community-based organizations to plan and activate adoption campaigns, drive engagement among income-constrained communities and support households in finding the right connection that best fits their needs,” a press release from Comcast noted.
This recent investment is a small amount which falls under its Project UP initiative, the company’s $1 billion commitment to promote digital equity.
“This investment in Free Greek and in digital navigation resources will help increase college and career readiness, especially among underserved youth; connect workers to opportunities; provide upskilling for adult learners and those already in the workforce; and close the skills – particularly digital skills – gap,” the press release noted.
Furthermore, as part of an international community effort, Wisetek US has lent a hand to the digital classroom program in Thailand by contributing IT equipment. Over the next four years, 130,000 devices are expected to be delivered to 437 schools located in Bangkok.
Wisetek’s CEO, Sean Sheehan expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign explaining that “this is a fantastic project that highlights the potential to utilize old computer devices and re-purpose them for educational reasons.”
