WEBVTT

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<v ->More than 450,000 families,</v>

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benefiting more than 1.8 million low income Americans,

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have crossed the digital divide by enrolling

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in Comcast's groundbreaking Internet Essentials program.

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Every one of those families has a story to tell.

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Here is just one of them.

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(slow piano music)

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<v ->My name is Gale Woods,</v>

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and I'm from the Bronzeville neighborhood

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in Chicago, Illinois.

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I first found out about Internet Essentials

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when I saw a press conference with the mayor

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and he was introducing a new service though Comcast

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that was going to be available.

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We were at the library and I found a pamphlet

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and called to see if I qualified.

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I initially signed up for Internet Essentials

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because my son, Austin,

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was moving into middle school

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and I knew that it was necessary for him

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to have the internet at home

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in order to complete his assignments.

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During that time I had my daughter, Ashley,

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who was getting ready to graduate from college

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and that inspired me to grown up and be like her.

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(laughing)
(upbeat music)

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I think the biggest impediment going to college

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is the transportation.

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Tuition sometimes can be an issue.

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We use the internet for Austin's education.

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I use it for myself to complete my homework assignments.

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<v ->It helps me research some of the things</v>

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I need for my project,

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like my History Fair and my Science Fair.

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<v ->I think having the internet at home</v>

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has made such a difference

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because you get quick access to information

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versus having to go outside the home.

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But I am now being brought into the 21st century

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with my children.

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<v Announcer>On May 5th,</v>

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Comcast was given an award for public service

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by Women in Cable Telecommunications.

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We invited Gale to attend.

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<v ->Now, at Comcast we're big believers in paying it forward.</v>

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So, Gale, in recognition of WICT award today

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and your inspiration to all of us

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on the Internet Essentials Team

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we have a little surprise for you.

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I'm told, it's my understanding,

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that two years of credit hours at Northeastern Illinois

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costs about $21,450.

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So, Gale, I am so thrilled

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to give you the first ever

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(audience clapping)

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Internet Essentials Gold Medal Achievement Award

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in the amount of $25,000.

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<v ->Internet Essentials is a life changing experience for me.</v>

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Having the quick access to the internet

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has actually changed my life.

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And now receiving the scholarship has actually

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put the icing on the cake.

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(upbeat cheerful music)