Comcast Logo
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Comcast Greater Chicago Region

Serving Central & Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana & Southwest Michigan

  • About
  • Contact

Comcast Launches new WiFi-Connected “Lift Zone” at the G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet

August 31, 2021

Lift Zones provide safe spaces where students and adults can access the Internet

August 31, 2021 – Comcast today announced the launch of a new WiFi-connected “Lift Zone” at the G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet (GWBBGC) located at 226 E. Clinton St. 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 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 the Chicago area. 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 more than 1 million in Illinois alone – to the Internet at home since it was launched in 2011.

“GWBBGC has helped thousands of children in our community develop the skills they need to thrive in school and ultimately participate in the workforce,” said Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk. “The club is an extremely important provider of services to Joliet’s children. I’m pleased that Comcast is making this commitment to the club and to the futures of children in our community.”

“Internet connectivity and digital skills are crucial to our club members’ success in school and to their futures,” said Kahlil Diab, GWBBGC Executive Director. “The Lift Zone also will help us extend our programs and services to even more members.”

“Through Internet Essentials, Comcast has helped hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans 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 the end of 2021, all new Internet Essentials customers two months of free Internet service. Comcast also continues to extend 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.

About the G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet

GWBBGC’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The club provides its members:

  • A safe place to learn and grow;
  • Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals;
  • Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and
  • Hope and opportunity for all.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. 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.

 

Filed Under: Community Investment
Tagged With: G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet, internet essentials, Joliet, Kahlil Diab, Lift Zone, Matthew Summy, Mayor Bob O'Dekirk

Products and Services

Village of Sugar Grove Approves Comcast Franchise Agreement

March 22, 2023

Comcast Business to bring its advanced network and full suite of services to several Sugar Grove commercial areas March 22, 2023 – The Village of Sugar Grove … Read More...

Community Investment

“Makers Madness” Contest Enters Final Round

March 21, 2023

 Voters to Decide “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” March 21, 2023 – As voting opens in the final round of the 2023 “Makers Madness” contest, four products … Read More...

Customer Experience

Joe Browning named Comcast’s Regional Vice President of Technical Operations

December 5, 2022

Milton resident joins senior regional leadership team December 5, 2022 – Milton, WI, resident Joe Browning has been named Vice President of Technical … Read More...

Terms of Service. Privacy Policy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Copyright © 2023 Comcast Corporation. All rights reserved.

Comcast Logo

This site uses cookies to enable your digital experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.

I agree
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo