COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION RECEIVES COMCAST GRANT

New Star, a community-based organization located in Chicago Heights, is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from Comcast. Through the grant, New Star will be able to equip its constituents with tablets, smartphones and applications as well as with training on how to use the technologies. Photo courtesy of New Star
New Star, a community-based organization located in Chicago Heights, is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from Comcast. Through the grant, New Star will be able to equip its constituents with tablets, smartphones and applications as well as with training on how to use the technologies. Photo courtesy of New Star

Community-based organization receives Comcast grant

 BY TIA CAROL JONES
Comcast distributed $50,000 in grant money to three community-based organizations in the South Suburbs to assist in those organizations’ technological needs. New Star, in Chicago Heights, was one of the recipients of $15,000 in grant money.

     New Star serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, using innovation and caring. Its mission is to enrich the lives of the individuals they serve, while maximizing their independence. In addition to its Chicago Heights office, there is also a Crete (Ill.) and Schererville (Ind.) office.

     Dan Strick is the executive director of New Star. Strick said New Star decided to apply for the grant because the organization has been pursuing technology for its consumers for the last 8-10 years. It actually developed a computer lab at one of its sites about 10 years ago.

     “We have known technology needs to be more accessible to the people we support. So, we’ve been incrementally, a little bit here, a little bit there, step-by-step pursuing that,” he said. “And, the whole pandemic changed everyone’s reality where you cannot survive without technology now.”

     Strick said New Star wanted to use the funding from Comcast to help move forward in a more significant way and as a result of the grant, New Star will be able to equip families and consumers with tablets, smartphones and applications. New Star constituents, who represent individuals from predominantly low-income areas, will also be able to receive training on how to use the technologies.

     Strick added New Star serves about 600 families a year, but said the Comcast funds will focus on a smaller subset of individuals, including 40 families. He said they will see how it works and go from there—with the possibility of expanding.

     One of the challenges of trying to reach the population the organization serves, is that sometimes, the families, with less means, can’t access the internet, Strick continued.

     “It’s hard to function in today’s world if you don’t have internet access. So, we’re trying to use our technology and supports to help with that,” he said.
     Strick pointed to the Comcast program, Internet Essentials, which provides internet access to low-income families at a lower rate. Those who are eligible for public assistance programs – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid or Social Security Insurance – are eligible for the Internet Essentials program. He said families New Star serves are being partnered with that program to make sure they can access the internet.

     Strick said another challenge is familiarity with the technology. He said there is a wide group of people who might not have fully embraced technology or who are unfamiliar with how to navigate the internet.
“Through the Comcast funding, we’ve been able to do some fun virtual technology things with our people, even though we’re not able to see everyone face-to-face. We’re doing bingo through Zoom. We’re doing a DJ Dance Party every Friday. We’re doing exercise classes online. We’re doing a lot just to keep people engaged.”

     John Crowley, senior vice president of Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region, said COVID-19 has made it even more challenging for community-based organizations to provide services to their constituents.

     “Our goal is to support operations and help them bridge the gaps exposed by the pandemic and find innovative ways to provide services, both remotely and safely onsite,” he said.

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