Comcast Set to Invest More Than $1M to Help Close Houston Area Digital Divide

2022 Investments will support dozens of community organizations that help thousands of Houston area residents with digital skills training, affordable connectivity and computers

HOUSTON, TX (August 2, 2022) – Comcast, a global media and technology company, will invest more than one million dollars in 2022 to fund community programs and other efforts designed to close the digital divide for low-income residents in Greater Houston. 

The investments will help local community organizations to provide personalized digital skills training, offer workforce development/readiness workshops and other tech education to students, adults and people with disabilities. The funding also supports ongoing efforts to build awareness about connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program. 

“These investments are part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to give families in Southeast Texas an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families. We are passionate about doing our part to close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding.” 

The funding, which will be announced several times this year, will benefit a wide range of Houston area organizations. The following organizations have already received digital equity grants. 

• United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help residents in need of digital skills training. 
• BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. 
• Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help residents in need of digital skills training.
• Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. 
• The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program.
• AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design.
• Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs.

Comcast remains committed to connecting people to the world. Its decade long effort expands access to the internet, the technology and skills people need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world. Over the next ten years, Comcast is building on that foundation and expanding our impact through Project UP – a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.