Detroit Regional Chamber > Wi-Fi-Connected “Lift Zones” to Help Students, Families in Detroit Access Internet for School, Digital Skills Building

Wi-Fi-Connected “Lift Zones” to Help Students, Families in Detroit Access Internet for School, Digital Skills Building

October 26, 2020
Chamber member Comcast announced today plans to establish its first 12 Wi-Fi-connected “Lift Zones” in Detroit by year-end.

The COVID-19 crisis has put many low-income students at risk of being left behind and has accelerated the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them. Lift Zones are designed to help those students who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to distance learning at home.

Comcast will provide robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students get online, participate in distance learning, and do their homework. Many of these sites also serve adults and can connect them to online adult education, job searches, healthcare information, and public assistance. This initiative provides free hotspot connectivity inside the community centers and access to hundreds of hours of digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning.

The first 12 Lift Zones include:

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Lloyd H. Diehl Club: 4242 Collingwood St.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Dick & Sandy Dauch Campus: 16500 Tireman St.
  • Detroit Blight Busters: 17340 Lahser Road
  • Detroit Boxing Gym: 6445 East Vernor Highway
  • Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation: 1211 Trumbull St.
  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries – Men’s Shelter: 3606 Third St.
  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries – Women’s Shelter: 12900 West Chicago St.
  • Franklin Wright Settlements: 7375 Woodward Ave.
  • Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc.:  7150 Vernor Highway
  • City Covenant Church (Mission: City): 20405 Schoolcraft
  • Matrix Human Services: Social Mobility Center: 13560 East McNichols Road
  • Say Detroit Play Center:19320 Van Dyke Ave.

Last month, Comcast announced a multiyear program to launch more than 1,000 Wi-Fi-connected Lift Zones in community centers nationwide. This effort is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet and provide resources to help them fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy.  Earlier this year, Comcast committed to providing 60 days of free Internet Essentials service for qualifying low-income families through the end of 2020 through its Internet Essentials program. Additionally, the company increased speeds for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers at no additional cost.