FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2020
Jill Johnson
Public Relations Officer
Community-Minded Enterprises
(509) 822-8040
Remote Learning Improved for School Age Children in Spokane, Thanks to a Partnership Connecting Child Care Providers to Free Internet
Spokane, Wash. — A new program is bringing reliable internet to school age children, allowing them to better connect to online learning. After months of planning Community-Minded Enterprises is pleased to announce a partnership with Spokane Public Schools (SPS), the Washington Childcare Centers Association (WCCA) and Comcast to bring Lift Zones to Spokane County child care providers. The initiative will help thousands of school age students with distance learning at no cost to host child care sites.
“We knew there was need,” said Lee Williams, CEO of Community-Minded Enterprises “child care sites weren’t prepared for the internet usage needed for online learning when COVID-19 hit. We had to do something so children wouldn’t be left behind.”
Installation of the Lift Zones began in late November. Comcast is about half-way through the rollout with the intent of reaching more than a dozen sites and several hundred children.
Long time early learning supporter, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) offered her appreciation of the initiative saying, “Today’s announcement is welcome news for students and families in Spokane who have been struggling with connectivity for distance learning during these uncertain times. I’m grateful my office was able to play a role in fostering this important partnership and applaud Comcast for working collaboratively with our partners at Spokane Public Schools and bringing their innovative Lift Zones and Internet Essentials programs to our community. I will continue to lead in Congress to help close the digital divide in rural and underserved communities, so students can do their schoolwork, patients can access tele-health, and everyone has access to the digital economy.”
“We are thrilled to be able to support local child care providers and activate Lift Zones in Spokane,” said Kris Workman, Senior Director, Comcast in Spokane. “These safe spaces can offer families much needed support when at-home connectivity is either not available or the student is unable to participate in their home environment.”
Child care sites currently online with a Lift Zone
- Bright Stars Early Learning Center
- Pacific Park Children’s Center
- Destiny Kids Early Learning Center
- Liberty Park Community Development Center
- North Avenue Early Learning
- Ascend To The Heights Child Development Center
Child care sites waiting installation of a Lift Zone
- Salish School of Spokane
- Just Imagine Child Care Center
- Green Gable Children’s Learning Center
- Children’s House Montessori School
- Clown Town Children’s Center
- Spokane Family Promise
About Comcast’s Lift Zones
As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast announced in September its multiyear program to launch Lift Zones in communities nationwide.
Working with its network of thousands of nonprofit partners and city leaders, the company is providing WiFi in facilities that help students get online, participate in distance learning, and do their schoolwork. The initiative offers free Internet connectivity and access to hundreds of hours of educational and digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning.
About Community-Minded Enterprises
Community-Minded Enterprises is a 501c3 nonprofit with four offices in Spokane and one in Pasco. It is home to Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington providing early learning support for child care providers across the region. CME operates two free preschool (ECEAP) programs as well as a play and learn group.
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