Empowering Youth like Zendaya by Bridging the Digital Divide 

Going back to school often brings anxiety to young students who feel like a summer off from school studies puts them behind their classmates. 

One such student is Zendaya, who struggled with reading so much that it affected her confidence at school. Living in a community with limited internet access, Zendaya found herself at a daily disadvantage. 

However, her life took a major turn when she met her new mentor, Natalie, at Ogden’s Youth Impact. Natalie has a genuine interest in supporting her success and has developed a plan to help Zendaya achieve her goals. 

Natalie had one more tool to help Zendaya: A Comcast Lift Zone, which has free Wi-Fi-connected locations in community centers across Utah. Youth Impact provides students, like Zendaya with free Wi-Fi connectivity to unlock a world of educational resources and support that were once out of reach. 

Working daily with Zendaya, Natalie focused on enhancing her digital literacy and reading skills. The results were astonishing. Recently, both mentor and mentee were beaming with pride as Zendaya confidently opened a book and read without help! That milestone was a testament to the power of connectivity and the right resources. 

“Access to the internet is crucial in this digital age, and all the students’ homework and reading is online. I know many kids will go home without a computer or the internet to do homework,” said Natalie Steadman, Youth Impact Digital Navigator. “So, having a LiftZone for us to use helps bridge the gap between school and home, which gives the kids the ability and space to complete homework that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.” 

Reliable internet access opens new avenues for learning and growth, helping students stay engaged and enthusiastic about their studies (no small task). 

Many youth in the program do not have home internet access, making the Lift Zone at Youth Impact an invaluable resource. In addition to Lift Zones, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program offers those who qualify access to low-cost, high-speed, in-home internet at only $9.95 per month.  

We must recognize the ongoing need for such programs as we celebrate these successes. With initiatives like Lift Zones and Internet Essentials, we are one step closer to a more connected, equitable, and prosperous future for all. 

#DigitalEmpowerment #FreeWiFiForAll #BridgeTheDivide #EducationForAll