Grants will help organizations adapt services in light of COVID-19
Sept. 22, 2020 – Comcast today announced $50,000 total in grants to three south suburban Chicago community-based organizations:
- Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, Ford Heights, IL;
- Mentoring Youth Through Technology (MYTT), Harvey, IL; and
- New Star, Chicago Heights, IL.
The grants are designed to support these organizations’ critical technology needs, especially in light of challenges presented by COVID-19; expand and enhance their operations to accelerate skills training and certifications for unemployed adults; and develop new platforms for remote instruction, training and mentoring for school children through after-school programming.
“COVID-19 has made it even more challenging for community-based organization to provide services to their constituents,” said John Crowley, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region. “Our goal is to support operations and help them bridge the gaps exposed by the pandemic and find innovative ways to provide services, both remotely and safely onsite.”
“As our economy begins to reopen, many of our residents will require new technology skills in the areas of video conferencing, electronic signatures and other technologies unfamiliar to our residents and seniors,” said Angelia Smith, Executive Director of Cornerstone Development Corporation. “The funds provided by Comcast will support Cornerstone CDC programs geared toward bridging the digital divide of our residents by providing basic computer training to help them adapt to this new social distancing world.”
Randle Carter, Executive Director of MYTT, added, “The financial support from Comcast will help us remain the key that unlocks today’s imagination for tomorrow’s possibilities through virtual STEM learning programs for the youth in at-risk and underserved communities in the South Suburbs at a time when virtual learning has become the norm.”
“Many of the people we support already have difficulty with change and lack the comprehension to understand special situations such as self-distancing and self-isolation,” said Dan Strick, President/CEO of New Star. “This grant will increase the agency’s ability to offer virtual services to individuals and help fill a need created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will help us provide that needed interaction and service they both need and deserve.”
About Cornerstone Community Development Corporation
CCDC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the underprivileged and to assist vulnerable populations in times of crisis, emphasizing emergency, supportive and educational services to individuals and families until they stabilize.
About Mentoring Youth Through Technology
MYTT inspires, educates and mentors youth through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). MYTT firmly believes that children’s race, zip code, or socioeconomic status, should never determine their STEM fluency. MYTT offers tomorrow’s technological innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs training in numerous areas including: robotics, coding, game development, 3D animation, graphic design, web design, application development, network engineering, computer hardware and much more. By focusing on critical thinking, problem solving, communication and information technology, MYTT remains confident that young people will have the tools necessary to thrive in a STEM society.
About New Star
New Star’s mission is to provide choices an opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a culture of innovation and caring, while also enriching their lives and maximizing their independence. New Star’s service consumers range from ages five to 95 years and include people with Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Autism and other substantial chronic disabilities incurred before maturity.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
With nearly 6,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region
(https://chicago.comcast.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.