MCHENRY COUNTY, IL PRESS RELEASE: Comcast Donates Laptops to Help Job Seekers

December 15, 2022 –  A gift of 20 laptop computers from Comcast will help McHenry County residents in need pursue new jobs and career education opportunities.

Comcast is donating the laptops to the McHenry County Workforce Network and its partner social service agencies Last Chance House, New Directions Addiction Recovery Services, Refuge for Women, and Wish House.

“This generous donation will help people facing barriers in their lives who wish to find better employment and access the job training they need,” County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, Crystal Lake, said. “Thank you to Comcast for giving these people a much-welcome helping hand.”

The donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion initiative to advance digital equity. One of Project UP’s centerpieces is Internet Essentials, a low-cost internet adoption program for eligible low-income households, which has helped more than 1.6 million people in Illinois connect to the internet at home since it launched in 2011.

“Comcast has been focused on digital equity and closing the digital divide in McHenry County and other locations in its footprint for more than a decade,” said Joan Sage, Comcast Local Government Relations Manager. “Access to the internet and the laptops will help recipients build digital skills, access important services and prepare for the workforce.”

Comcast reached out to County Administration and the United Way of Greater McHenry County, who in turn connected them with the McHenry County Workforce Network to move forward with donating laptops to help people in need. The Workforce Network offers free services to employers and job seekers needing assistance in meeting the challenges of today’s job market.

“We partnered with these local agencies because many of their clients are also our clients – people needing work or job training – and we wanted to broaden our reach into the community,” Workforce Network Director Jeffrey Poynter said. “I want to thank County Administrator Peter Austin and United Way President and CEO Jamie Maravich for putting us in contact with Comcast to make these laptops available to our job seekers. This gift will go a long way to help individuals with their education and job search needs.”