Imagine the frustration of not having access to the internet for homework, job searches, researching health benefits, and so much more.
Now, picture having those needs immediately addressed with a free computer and complimentary internet service? For 50 families in the Twin Cities, that dream became reality as Comcast and The Sanneh Foundation teamed up for a festive celebration at Conway Community Center in St. Paul on August 20.
The day’s activities centered on Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program, and its recent expansion to all low-income households in Comcast’s Twin Cities service area.
To help celebrate, Comcast and The Sanneh Foundation presented 50 area families with free laptops and complimentary Internet Essentials service for six months. In addition, Comcast and St. Paul Public Libraries announced a new three-year partnership to expand digital literacy training across the city.
Comcast also presented a check for $5,000 to help support The Sanneh Foundation summer youth programs. For a recap of the day’s event, click on the video at the top of the story.
The expansion of Internet Essentials eligibility opens the transformative power of the Internet to millions of additional households – including people with disabilities, parents with children either too young for school or in college, and adults without children who need a connection to learn digital skills, search and apply for new jobs, or find resources.
Since its inception, more than 172,000 Minnesotans have been connected to the Internet – many for the first time – through Internet Essentials.
To be eligible, low-income applicants simply need to show they are participating in one or more of a dozen different federal assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI.
For more information, visit www.internetessentials.com.
