Mt. Hood Regulatory Commission and Comcast Commit Additional $2 Million to Shrink Digital Divide in Multnomah County
Comcast Will Also Open Lift Zones to Offer Free Wi-Fi in Community Facilities
Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) and Comcast held an event on Sunday to announce a $2 million investment to help bridge the digital divide in Multnomah County. According to a recent report, the critical need to be online is well established — using the internet is no longer optional to fully participate in education, the economy, healthcare, and civic and cultural life. Yet many Multnomah County residents — 18% of households with income under $30,000, 28% for those 65 years or older, and 30% for Hispanic households — do not subscribe to broadband internet service at home.
Free Geek, a leading local non-profit advancing economic equity through tech training and career building, will receive the $1 million to purchase over 3,700 discounted laptops from Dell for distribution to community members who need them most. In addition, Comcast will invest to install Lift Zones that provide free Wi-Fi in community facilities to support students, families, adults, and veterans. Comcast currently has 23 Lift Zones located in neighborhood community centers and non-profit organizations in Oregon.
“The digital divide continues to be a persistent challenge for communities in Multnomah County with more than 3,000 residents who do not own a computer and many others who don’t know how to use it effectively,” said Juan Muro Executive Director for Free Geek. “This investment will help ensure that these families have the same benefits as others and their children have the devices and digital skills training they need to access online resources to be successful in school.”
Free Geek’s mission is to help the most disconnected communities in Multnomah County get online and receive the resources, devices, and technology education needed to help close the homework gap, increase economic mobility, and advance digital equity. After making the announcement on Sunday, Free Geek distributed an initial 500 brand new Dell laptops to families who had been waiting for new devices.
“The unfortunate reality is that not everyone has the resources and digital skills they need to benefit from online resources,” said Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast. “By building more Lift Zones and continuing our partnership with Free Geek, we are helping to produce measurable outcomes that will create a more prepared and inclusive workforce and help ensure that under-resourced communities are not left behind.”
The contribution to Free Geek and additional Lift Zones are the latest example of Comcast and MHCRS’s investment to advance digital equity in Multnomah County. Last year, Comcast and MHCRC invested $2 million in Free Geek and their digital equity goals. Since that initial investment, Free Geek has:
- Expanded their training capacity by hiring three new digital navigators and a volunteer coordinator who help families with tech support and advice.
- Provided internet services to 3,200 community members.
- Distributed 662 new or refurbished laptops for free.
- Conducted 41 digital skills training classes and expanded their training curriculum.
- Expanded their partnerships to other nonprofits, including Hacienda CDC, IRCO, Latino Network, Guerras Latinas, PCC, Naya, AfroVillage PDX and more.
“MHCRC is proud of the role we get to play in ongoing public and private partnerships in our city and county. Without the cable franchise agreements with Comcast, none of this would be possible,” said Julia DeGraw, MHCRC Chair – Portland Representative. “These opportunities provide substantive digital access, and we are confident that Free Geek is a dedicated partner with a community centric approach to bridging the digital divide.”
Over the last three years, Comcast has made more than $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to Oregon nonprofit organizations. These contributions support local community programs that help establish and promote the company’s Digital Equity Network in Oregon. Comcast’s network of digital equity partners acquire technology equipment, provide digital skills trainings, and offer opportunities for community members to explore and train for careers in tech-related fields, or develop the kinds of digital skills that can help them launch and grow their own business.
A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning and access to essential services.
In East County we have identified 5 neighborhoods that have 60,000 households with over 30,000 that qualify for lifeline programs such as SNAP and the Affordable Connectivity Programs. Of these 30,000 + households 3,300 do not own a functional computer device.
SERVICES
SIGN UP FOR OUR WAITLIST
The application to get on the waitlist for a Free Geek device is now open. This program is available to any individual and organization who meets the criteria of being low-income or serving low income communities. Individuals and organizations serving low income Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx and other people of color, communities who are currently houseless or experiencing unstable housing situations, and students with accessibility needs will be prioritized for computers. Both individuals and organizations can apply.
Click here to sign up for the waitlist
DIGITAL NAVIGATION
The Digital Navigator plays a vital role in fulfilling Free Geek's mission of narrowing the digital divide. The Digital Navigator provides active support to community members and partner organizations, navigating the internet; your device, affordable connectivity services, and coaching in essential digital skills.
Click here to schedule an appointment
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Integrated, experience-based instructional program designed to prepare community members to be knowledgeable about technology - its evolution, systems, technologies, utilization, and social and cultural significance.
AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices.
FREE GEEK DIGITAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN FOR EAST MULTNOMAH COUNTY
Coming soon.
DEVICE WARRANTY
Window's machines given out to SNAP Program recipients receive a 1-year warranty and lifetime digital navigation support that is active the day the device is shipped. Machines given out to Technology Education program members receive a 6 month warranty on their device.
*This is not eligible for machines purchased through Free Geek's eBay store*
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP AT BUREAU FOR PLANNING & SUSTAINABILITY
The Community Technology program builds community capacity and champions investments and public policy in a rapidly changing communications technology, utility, and broadband landscape to keep our local communities economically and culturally healthy.
DIGITAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN
The Digital Equity Action Plan (DEAP) outlines a series of operational and policy proposals for public and private agencies, along with nonprofits, in Portland/Multnomah County to advance the cause of digital equity.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY
The library focuses on the communities most impacted by racism and systems of oppression to empower them to learn and create.
DIGITUNITY
Digitunity is a national organization working to eliminate the technology gap by providing a variety of resources and programs to people in need of access to devices and tools to help them thrive in todays society.
NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE
National Digital Inclusion Alliance advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act.
XFINITY INTERNET ESSENTIALS
Xfinity Internet Essentials proves low cost, reliable high speed internet for low-income households.
RESOURCES FOR DEVICES
Government Benefit Program members are eligible for Free Cell Phone Service through Life Wireless or if you are in need of an affordable phone or laptop please visit Free Geek's eBay Store.
*If Free Geek does not have the inventory for free machines please apply through PC's For People*
RESOURCES FOR INTERNET OR BROADBAND
The Universal Service Administrative Company offers a search tool to help you find an Affordable Connectivity Program company in your area.
Search for a list of Affordable Connectivity providers
CONTACT US
For additional information or assistance contact us via email: computerfriends@freegeek.org
Free Geek offers a series of curriculum centered around technology education.