LYNNWOOD, Wash., March 7, 2023 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County (BGCSC) and Comcast opened a new Lift Zone Lab at the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club in Lynnwood on Tuesday, February 28. cutting-edge technological overhaul for the lab to take full advantage of the free internet connection the company already offers through its Lift Zone program. The technology equipment installed in the lab includes a 3D printer, 20 computers, webcams, television screens to support group video lessons, and more.
The post is part of a long partnership between the two organizations and will provide immersive tech and STEM-related activities to children in Snohomish County. Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, Snohomish County Chief Executive Dave Somers and Lynnwood City Council Member George Hurst joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, Comcast and more than 50 local families at the unveiling ceremony at the Alderwood Boys yesterday & Girls Club.
Alderwood Lift Zone Lab ribbon cutting that occurred on February 28, 2023. SOURCE: Alderwood Boys & Girls Club.
Fewer students in Washington state schools have met standards in English, math and science since the pandemic, according to a K12 report card from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). To make matters worse, according to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, 20 percent of fourth graders and 10 percent of eighth graders in Washington don’t have access to the Internet or a computer at home.
“Lack of Internet access at home limits access to education, and our new Comcast Lift Zone Lab can play a vital role in supporting children by helping them with their schoolwork and activities in literacy, math and science,” said Marci Volmer, COO – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County. “This lab is part of a much larger effort with Comcast to connect students at home through discounted service programs like Internet Essentials and away from home with additional Lift Zones at our 12 clubs in Snohomish and Island Counties.”
Lift Zones and Lift Zone Labs are part of Comcast’s ongoing commitment to connecting students and families in need to the Internet so they can fully participate in education and the digital economy. Since 2020, Comcast has been working with cities, community organizations and local nonprofit partners to deploy Lift Zones with free WiFi service in nearly 100 community centers across Washington state.
“Connectivity at home remains a top priority with Internet Essentials and is the number one solution for low-income households,” said Kevin Harrison, Board Member, Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County and VP of Finance and Business Operations, Comcast Pacific Northwest Region . “But that’s not the only answer. Comcast also plays an important role in connecting people to the internet outside of the home, and our Lift Zones and Lift Zone Labs are trying to fill that need.”
Alderwood Lift Zone Lab ribbon cutting that occurred on February 28, 2023. SOURCE: Alderwood Boys & Girls Club.
This effort is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources and skills needed to thrive in a digital world . Project UP is Comcast’s company-wide digital equity initiative, which includes Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program.
Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 140,000 homes in Washington, including nearly 14,000 homes in Snohomish County, to high-speed Internet at home, many for the first time. Internet Essentials’ comprehensive design addresses three key barriers to broadband adoption, including access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in person; the ability to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-enabled computer; and low-cost high-speed Internet service for $9.95 per month plus tax.
For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital justice, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials
Comcast is also proud to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with up to $30/month credit for internet and cellular service. For more information, see https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/acp
About Snohomish County boys and girls clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is a non-profit organization that provides young people ages 5 to 18 with a safe and positive place to spend their time before and after school and during the summer. Clubs are strategically located in neighborhoods and are accessible to all children. Since 1946, Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs have been helping young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. To learn more, please visit our website: https://bgcsc.org/
About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to the moments that matter. Our primary focus is connectivity, aggregation and streaming with 57 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 across Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News and Sky Sports; and provide unforgettable experiences at Universal parks and resorts across the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
SOURCE: Alderwood Boys & Girls Club press release
