City Year Commits To Supporting Comcast Internet Essentials

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at an event in Washington, DC to promote Comcast's Internet Essentials program, City Year co-founder and CEO Michael Brown renewed the organization's strong support for this transformational initiative, a program that brings affordable broadband Internet access to low-income families across the country.  As a result of this program, more than 100,000 families currently have affordable broadband Internet access.  

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City Year is an education-focused nonprofit that works in high-need urban schools to help struggling students stay in school and on track to succeed. Broadband adoption is vital for these communities because it levels the playing field for low-income families by closing the digital divide.   

"We are committed to bringing Internet Essentials to the schools we serve in, and to the families that need it most," said Michael Brown, co-founder and CEO of City Year. "It is our fundamental belief that a child's zip code should not determine their future. Every child has the potential to succeed. Internet Essentials provides access to the tools they need to unlock that potential."

City Year is mobilizing its network of stakeholders, alumni and supporters to bring Internet Essentials to the families and communities where it is most needed. City Year is working with superintendents and principals of the districts where City Year and Comcast share a footprint to share this tremendous resource to the families of those communities. City Year will leverage its national Board of Trustees, whose networks include dozens of other organizations who work with disadvantaged families—urging them to share Internet Essentials.  Furthermore, City Year will activate its network of 17,000 alumni, many of whom have gone on to work with underserved populations, to share the news about the program.

"Comcast values City Year's partnership and its commitment to help us to bridge the digital divide in this country to ensure all families and students have affordable access to broadband services," said David Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast NBC Universal. "We are grateful for City Year's support and dedication to the Internet Essentials program that has the power to transform lives."

Comcast NBC Universal is national leadership sponsor of City Year that has generously contributed $75 million in cash and in-kind support since 2001, allowing today's City Year corps of 2,500 AmeriCorps members work in the highest need urban schools acting as tutors, mentors and role models to struggling students to help them stay in school and on track to succeed. With Comcast's commitment to this work, there are thousands of students nationwide who would not receive the support and attention they desperately need.

About City Year

City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that partners with public schools and teachers to help keep students in school and on track to succeed. In 24 communities across the United States and through two international affiliates, this innovative public-private partnership brings together teams of young AmeriCorps members who commit to a year of full-time service in schools. Corps members provide individual support to students who need extra care and attention, focusing on attendance, behavior, and course performance through in-class tutoring, mentoring, and after school programs.

SOURCE City Year