Lift Zones provide safe spaces where students and adults can access the Internet
Comcast recently announced the launch of new WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” at nine Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (BGCGNI) locations. Lift Zones are safe spaces where children can get online to do schoolwork and adults can get online to learn new digital skills, search for employment and access an array of services. The new Lift Zones are located at the following BGCGNI locations:
- Cedar Lake, 13000 Fairbanks St., Cedar Lake, IN 46303
- Chesterton (Duneland Boys & Girls Club), 521 W. 1100 N., Chesterton, IN 46304
- East Chicago, 2009 E. 138th St., East Chicago, IN 46312
- Gary (John Will Anderson Gary Boys & Girls Club), 2700 W. 19th Ave., Gary, IN 46404
- Hammond, 5840 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN 46320
- Lake Station, 3350 Indiana St., Hobart, IN 46342
- Portage, 5895 Evergreen Ave., Portage, IN 46368
- Valparaiso, 354 W. Jefferson St., Valparaiso, IN 46383
- Valparaiso (South Haven Boys & Girls Club), 723 Long Run Rd., Valparaiso, IN 46385
The COVID-19 crisis put many low-income students and families at risk of being left behind and accelerated the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them. The Lift Zones are part of a larger multiyear plan by Comcast to support community-organization-based WiFi at more than 1,000 Lift Zones throughout the country – including in Northwest Indiana. The Lift Zones also are an extension of the company’s longstanding commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet and provide resources to help them take advantage of educational opportunities and the digital economy. The Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, a low-cost Internet adoption program for low-income families, which has helped connect more than 10 million people in America – including 440,000 in Indiana alone – to the Internet at home since it was launched in 2011.
“I applaud the partnership of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana and Comcast to improve the ability of students to connect to the Internet,” said Congressman Frank J. Mrvan. “This past year has shown the critical need to have access to educational and career resources through the Internet, and I appreciate that this initiative will help our youth enhance their skills and reach their full potential.”
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana is proud to partner with Comcast to offer Internet connectivity to literally thousands of our members,” said Ryan Smiley, BGCGNI Chief Executive Officer. “This heightened level of connectivity will make a major difference in our members’ ability to participate in and benefit from our programs and services.”
“Through Internet Essentials, Comcast has helped hundreds of thousands of Indiana families cross the digital divide,” said Matthew Summy, Comcast’s Regional Vice President of External and Government Affairs. “I’m proud that Comcast recognized the impact of the digital divide early on, stepped up and now continues to offer solutions that further our commitment to communities through the creation of Lift Zones.”
Comcast continues to offer, through June 30, 2022, all new Internet Essentials customers two months of free Internet service. Comcast also has extended free access to its 1.5 million public Xfinity WiFi hotspots to anyone who needs them, including non-customers, through the end of 2021. These hotspots are located in public places, ranging from small businesses and parks to transportation hubs, and are in addition to the Lift Zones.
Lastly, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program also makes a range of educational resources available online for anyone to access at www.internetessentials.com/learning. The Learning Portal provides videos and materials about topics, including: Internet Basics, Online Safety and Security, Building New Skills and Getting Things Done. The site also links to a number of free educational websites for students.
