Friday’s Brunch and Learn was sponsored by Comcast and hosted by United Way of Galveston at Wright Cuney Recreation Center at one of the island’s 2 Lift Zones.

Toni Beck, VP of Comcast- Texas, shared information about programs designed to close the digital divide. Recognizing that a device and the ability to connect that device to the internet are vital to everyday life, and that not having one or both of those items can immobilize a person, they committed to investing in Galveston in several ways. In addition to Lift Zones, where people can access the internet via free Comcast service, there are many options to ensure that people can get online at home. They have low-cost ($9.95/mo) plans for qualifying households, Customers can also apply to the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program which gives eligible households up to $30 in monthly credits toward Internet and mobile service plans. With ACP Xfinity’s a low-cost plan is free.

The Brunch and Learn is part of a series being offered to Galveston nonprofits this year by the United Way of Galveston. The program is being piloted in response to nonprofit leaders recognizing that connecting over shared issues in-person has newfound value. While our individual organizations may be small (UWG has 2 employees) our network as a sector can be strong and supportive.

Comcast’s additional reason for sponsoring the Brunch and Learn was to learn from our sector about what are the barriers and potential accelerators to bridging the digital divide. Their representatives at each table engaged with nonprofit leaders and listened for possible solutions.

There was one twist to this gathering that set it apart from the others, and it certainly left everyone smiling. In a surprise move, Comcast’s Director of External Affairs, Misha McClure, announced that Comcast would be donating to EACH nonprofit organization that attended to further their digital equity work! AND they donated brand new laptop computers to each of the island’s Lift Zones for people to use if they don’t have their own phone, tablet, or laptop and participate in digital skills training.

Being able to get online #ChangesEverything. Thank you, Comcast, for investing in people, programs, and nonprofits.

Lindsey White, UWG Executive Director, Kent Etienne, Jr., UWG Board President and Vice President of Human Resources at AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Toni Beck, VP of Comcast- Texas, and April Ciccarello, MHA UWG Board Member and UTMB Health Physician Relations Manager

Toni Beck, VP of Comcast- Texas, looks on as Terrell Peteway, City of Galveston Parks and Recreation Coordinator, speaks about the importance of the Lift Zone at Wright Cuney Recreation Center