Comcast and One Economy Honor Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge Members Graduating from Comcast Digital Connectors Program

MARTINSVILLE, Va., June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast and One Economy recognized a class of 18 graduates from the Comcast Digital Connectors program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge during a special ceremony held yesterday at the Clubs' Teen Center.  The Comcast Digital Connectors program launched at the Boys & Girls Clubs in September of 2010, and provides young people from the Martinsville area and Henry County with an opportunity to learn about broadband technologies and how to put that knowledge to work in a wide range of community service activities.  

Among those celebrating the accomplishments of the graduates at the event were Boys & Girls Clubs and Comcast leaders and staff, representatives from One Economy, parents and family members of the Digital Connectors graduates and members of the broader community.  In addition to certificates of recognition, each student received a Netbook computer and Flip camera.

"We are very proud of our first year graduates," said Laurie Wardle, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. "We must also thank Comcast and One Economy for the investment they have made in our club and in area youth."

"Expanding digital literacy is a key focus for Comcast, and we are pleased to work with One Economy and the Boys & Girls Clubs to provide Virginia students with a program that will help them develop and share technology skills," said Tom Coughlin, regional senior vice president for Comcast.  "The program builds upon our commitment to strengthening our local communities through youth leadership development."

"Young people are ready to embrace the ever changing technology that is shaping our world. It will be those young people who will leverage that technology to improve their lives and their communities," said Kelley Dunne, CEO of One Economy. "The Digital Connectors program has created empowered workplace leaders and caring stewards of our communities. Together these youth are creating a lasting culture of technology use and broadband adoption across the United States."

At the graduation event, the Comcast Digital Connectors students also showcased their final project, a video production honoring three "local heroes."  The honorees included co-founders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge: Cathie Carter, Lee Lester and Nancy Bell.  

Comcast also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge on Comcast Cares Day, the company's annual, nationwide day of service that took place in April, during which more than 150 Comcast employees, their friends and families and members of the local community helped make improvements to the Boys & Girls Clubs' Teen Center where the Digital Connectors program takes place.  This was the third year that Comcast partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs for Comcast Cares Day.  

The Comcast Digital Connectors students gathered at the Boys & Girls Clubs three times per week after school throughout the year to receive training in digital literacy, marketing and business, financial management and film and media production.  The young people also volunteered 60 hours of their time at community-based organizations, senior centers, churches and more, providing digital literacy training to 750 residents of Martinsville and Henry County. Participants also developed a professional portfolio of projects, which included 10 chapters toward a Cisco certificate of completion, rebuilding a used computer for a needy family, creating professional posters, producing a commercial, hosting a local cable show and more.

"Our students made a tremendous commitment when they signed up for this class," said Katie Waddell, Digital Connectors instructor for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. "Three days a week for 2 hours each time throughout the school year is a significant investment for anyone, but these students have been eager to learn and I believe they have a great future before them."

The Digital Connectors program was founded by One Economy in 2001, and Comcast, the largest partner for the initiative, has launched the program at more than 50 locations across the United States including Martinsville, VA; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; Dearborn, MI; Houston, TX; Miami, FL; Hartford, CT; Modesto, CA; Springfield, MA; Boston, MA; Morgantown, WV; and Washington, D.C.  As the nation's largest residential Internet service provider, Comcast is contributing to One Economy's mission to maximize the potential of technology in cities and towns across the country.  

Comcast powers dreams in the communities it serves by providing access to innovative technology, volunteering time, giving financial support and partnering with organizations to make communities stronger.  The company focuses its community investment initiatives on building tomorrow's leaders, promoting community service and expanding digital literacy.  Since 2001, Comcast has provided $2.2 billion in cash and in-kind support to our communities. The company made a $1.2 million commitment to sponsor the Digital Connectors program for three years, beginning in 2009.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge (BGCBR) provide after-school services to over 800 youth annually ages five to 18.  These services include programming in education, career development, character and leadership development, the arts, sports, fitness, recreation, health and life skills, and special events. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. BGCBR operates five locations in Martinsville and Henry County. Club sites are located at Albert Harris Elementary, Patrick Henry Elementary, Sanville Elementary, and "The Club" Teen Center located at Christ's Church off Spruce Street Ext.

About One Economy and the Digital Connectors

One Economy is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people. More than 17 million people have used One Economy's online tools and resources, including the Public Internet Channel (www.pic.tv), to build better lives. One Economy has launched on-the-ground programs in 42 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. The Digital Connectors program is One Economy's flagship initiative that delivers 21st century technology training to young people from low-income backgrounds, who then share what they learn within their own communities. By year's end more than 6,000 youth will have given more than 200,000 hours of community service and will have trained 160,000 people. Learn more at www.one-economy.com.

About the Comcast Foundation

The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities.  The Foundation has three community investment priorities – promoting community service, expanding digital literacy, and building tomorrow's leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated over $90 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/community.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:  CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communications companies.  Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers.  Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

SOURCE Comcast Cable