Washington, DC ‐ Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) is partnering with Comcast to help remove technology barriers to completing Goodwill’s free workforce development and job training programs for people with disabilities or disadvantages in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

An estimated 25% of D.C. residents lack access to reliable broadband internet and 17% of residents are without access to a computer or laptop. As a result of COVID-19, most students and much of the regional workforce now have to work virtually. This is a major challenge when a family is without broadband internet or computer access.

Comcast’s Internet Essentials program is the nation’s largest and most successful internet adoption program, providing high-speed broadband service for $9.95 a month, digital literacy training and the option to purchase a laptop or computer at a heavily subsidized price of $150. The Internet Essentials Partnership Program is designed to help accelerate internet adoption even further by enabling school districts and other organizations to fund and quickly connect large numbers of students and families to broadband access at home.

“Our partnership with Comcast will help alleviate the digital divide by providing Goodwill job training program participants, Goodwill Excel Center students and Goodwill associates with internet access and laptop computers at reduced or no cost,” said Catherine Meloy, president and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington.

For more information on Internet Essentials, visit www.internetessentials.com.

 

About Goodwill of Greater Washington
Goodwill of Greater Washington is an approved nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to transform lives and communities through the power of education and employment. Goodwill funds that mission primarily through diverse lines of business, including a chain of retail stores, custodial services, pest control and grounds maintenance operations. The nonprofit also generates revenue through individual, foundation and corporate giving.

# # #