Peoples Resource Center and Comcast Partner to Provide Low-cost Internet to Eligible DuPage Families

Since 1997, People’s Resource Center has been working to bridge the digital divide for low-income families in DuPage County.  The organization provides free refurbished computers and computer classes as part of its mission to assist low-income DuPage families.  However, the cost of home Internet service has remained a barrier for families served by this program.  That is changing now, thanks to a new program from Comcast, called “Internet Essentials.”

Internet Essentials is an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program that addresses three of the primary barriers to Internet access in the home: a lack of understanding of what the Internet has to offer, the cost of a home computer, and the cost of Internet service.  A household is eligible to participate in the Internet Essentials program if it meets all of the following criteria:

• Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
• Has at least one child who receives a free lunch at school under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (As an example, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a household of three would have to make less than $25,000 a year in income);
• Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days; and
• Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

For general information about Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish.  Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 (1-855-765-6995 for Spanish speakers).

Comcast representatives will be on hand Saturday, Sept. 10 at People’s Resource Center in Wheaton during Saturday morning food pantry hours to announce the program’s launch, answer questions and instruct DuPage families on how to enroll in the Internet Essentials program.  The kick-off event is free and open to the public.

According to Dennis McCann, PRC’s Director of Computer Training, “Reliable Internet access will allow our families to apply for more jobs, connect with more information, and better involve themselves with their children’s education. It is the missing ingredient for nearly half of our families.”

“Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years and through the end of the 2013-2014 school year,” says LeAnn Talbot, Comcast Greater Chicago Region, Senior Vice President.

“Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials, provided the household still qualifies for the program until that child graduates from high school,” she added.