A Comcast Lift Zone is now available at the Pottsville Salvation Army.
Your first question may be: What is a Comcast Lift Zone?
Well, it’s not a new gym. It’s actually a place that offers free WiFi to anyone who needs it. And in Pottsville, that’s potentially a lot of people.
Comcast says it expects hundreds of low-income students and other residents in Pottsville to find benefit in the new Lift Zone at its Sanderson St. headquarters.
Comcast Opens Lift Zone at Pottsville Salvation Army
“The COVID-19 crisis continues to put many low-income families at risk of being left behind, accelerating the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them,” says Toni Murphy, senior vice president for Comcast’s Keystone Region. “We hope this Lift Zone will help families who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect at home.”
The lack of access to high-speed internet became a real issue over the last 18 months when many students across Schuylkill County were forced to stay home from school during the COVID pandemic.
“In today’s world, many may think everyone has access to the Internet, but this simply isn’t true,” Lt. Gavin Yeatts, Commanding Officer at Salvation Army in Pottsville, says. “Anybody can come who needs access to the internet.”
Yeatts tells us that right now, the Lift Zone is currently a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) facility but the Salvation Army is trying to raise funds to offer some computers or tablets to people.
The Lift Zone at the Pottsville Salvation Army is simply a room with some tables and chairs where people can access the internet. It’s available from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on weekdays.
Comcast has supplied earbuds for anyone who needs to use them, Yeatts says.
Pottsville’s Lift Zone joins 70 others in the Comcast Keystone Region but it’s currently the only one in Schuylkill County.
Photo: Coal Region Canary
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...