About 30 percent of Americans — many of whom live near or below the poverty line — remain on the wrong side of the digital divide. Without digital literacy, home broadband access or a computer, these families face profound disadvantages. That’s why Comcast launched Internet Essentials, a program that provides low-cost broadband service for $9.95 a month; the option to purchase a full-service, Internet-ready computer for under $150; and multiple options for digital literacy training in print, online and in person. The program is available to families in our service area with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch. Since 2011, we’ve connected more than 150,000 households — an estimated 600,000 Americans — to the power of the Internet at home, most for the very first time. We’ve also distributed over 15,000 computers and hosted in-person digital literacy training sessions for more than 10,000 participants.

Comcast has supported local Boys & Girls Clubs for more than a decade, providing more than $54 million in cash and in-kind contributions. In 2010, we took our support to the next level to sponsor Club Tech, a program incorporating digital literacy into local Clubs’ curriculum. Club Tech provides teens with access to technology software and training to equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Today, digital literacy is woven into the Clubs’ core programming and operations and serves as a long-term development plan for future members and Club professionals. Through our support of Club Tech and other programs, Comcast supports half the nation’s Boys & Girls Clubs serving more than 850,000 young people annually.

The Comcast Digital Connectors program trains youth from primarily diverse, low-income backgrounds in Internet and computer skills. Teens meet weekly after school, have the option to earn a Cisco IT Essentials certification of completion and receive a complimentary netbook upon graduation from the program. Comcast Digital Connectors is also a community service program, as participants volunteer at senior centers, churches, local schools and other community organizations, spreading digital literacy in their community. Since the program began, more than 2,000 Digital Connectors have participated, volunteering more than 100,000 hours to bridge the digital divide in their communities. Through training and service, Comcast Digital Connectors is preparing today’s youth for the jobs of tomorrow.