Students surprised with laptops as part of Comcast donation to LAUP

What’s happening: Comcast recently surprised 40 students in grades 8-11 who are enrolled in the Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)  2023-24 ¡Adelante! Cohort with laptops. Another 15 laptops will be gifted to the 15 12th-grade students participating in the LAUP ¡Más Adelante! youth program. The laptop donation was announced when students gathered at the LAUP on Sept. 5 to celebrate the start of its ¡Adelante! youth program.

Youth in the LAUP Más Adelante and Adelante programs with the organization's staff. (Comcast)

What’s next: An additional 15 laptops have been donated to LAUP to amplify both its programming as well as the Comcast Lift Zone, which provides the community with free Wi-Fi in a safe space to help students, families and community members complete schoolwork, search for jobs and access health care information and public assistance.

Comcast recently surprised 40 students in the LAUP ¡Adelante! Cohort with laptops. (Comcast)

Why it’s important: The gift is part of an ongoing endeavor to bridge the digital divide, says the telecommunications company. According to Comcast, 96% of Americans have the potential for broadband service, but only 77% have subscribed. The donation of the laptops and construction of LAUP’s Lift Zone are part of Comcast’s Project UP, a $1 billion initiative to advance digital equity, connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators. 

The laptop donation was announced when students gathered at the LAUP on Sept. 5 to celebrate the start of its ¡Adelante! youth program. (Comcast)

What they are saying: “The Holland community is deeply enriched by the vibrant Latino culture and history that spans nearly a century and a half,” says LAUP executive director Johnny Rodriguez. “Actions like these aren't just generous gestures, they're transformative pillars. They anchor our commitment to nurturing and uplifting each generation, ensuring that our community's legacy is preserved and empowered with modern tools and opportunities. By bridging the digital divide, we're not just providing technology, we're paving the way for generational growth, education and advancement.”