Comcast has unveiled its second Flagship Lift Zone in Houston, marking a significant step forward in its efforts to advance digital equity and workforce development. Located at SERJobs’ Workforce Resource and Training Center in the city’s East End, this new facility represents a substantial investment in the community’s digital future.
The Flagship Lift Zone, powered by Comcast Business, is the result of a partnership between Comcast and SERJobs, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through education and employment services. Comcast has committed over $500,000 to fund a comprehensive technology makeover and expanded programming aimed at teaching digital and technical skills to community members.
This initiative is part of Comcast’s broader Lift Zones program, which has been recognized for its impact on bridging the digital divide. The new Flagship Lift Zone is the first of its kind in Texas and joins 53 other Lift Zones across the Houston metropolitan area.
The facility’s upgrades are extensive and designed to create a state-of-the-art learning environment. Improvements include renovations to conference rooms, tech labs, training spaces, and common areas. The center now boasts 48 new computers, a mix of desktops and laptops, to facilitate hands-on learning. Privacy pods have been installed for virtual or in-person meetings, trainings, and job interviews, addressing the need for confidential spaces in the digital age.
Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast, emphasized the program’s focus on skill development: ‘Lift Zones are about more than just providing free access to the Internet. They are about teaching people how to use the power of broadband to transform their lives and careers.’
The partnership between Comcast and SERJobs spans a decade, during which Comcast has donated over 1,000 new laptops and provided substantial grants to support digital skills training. This long-term commitment underscores the importance of sustained efforts in addressing digital inequity.
Sheroo Mukhtiar, CEO of SERJobs, highlighted the transformative potential of the new Lift Zone: ‘This initiative not only empowers individuals to thrive in the digital age but also opens new doors for workforce development and economic opportunities.’
The impact of Comcast’s investment extends beyond the Flagship Lift Zone. Over the past three years, Comcast Texas has contributed more than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations to over 60 Houston-area nonprofit organizations. These contributions support the company’s Digital Equity Network in Texas, which aims to provide access to computers, digital skills training, and career exploration in tech-related fields.
The Lift Zones initiative is part of Comcast’s Project UP, a $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and create unlimited possibilities for communities. Since its launch in 2020, the program has established more than 1,250 Lift Zones across the country, complementing Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which offers low-cost in-home broadband to qualifying households.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the Flagship Lift Zone play a crucial role in ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to participate in the digital economy. By providing access to technology, training, and resources, Comcast and SERJobs are working to create a more inclusive and digitally empowered workforce in Houston and beyond.
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