Comcast NBCUniversal's Community Impact in 2017
December 21, 2017
While the holiday season is a special time for giving, Comcast NBCUniversal is thankful for the opportunity to strengthen lives and communities all year long. Whether through mentoring students, teaching digital skills that lead to higher-paying jobs, or supporting entrepreneurs working to make a difference in their community, Comcast NBCUniversal employees and the organization's thousands of nonprofit partners are improving lives every day.
Meet some of the people who illustrate our commitment to giving back and the difference we made in 2017:
Yvette Miley – Senior Vice President, MSNBC & NBC News, New York, NY
Yvette Miley grew up depending on programs like the 4H and the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County, Fla., near her childhood home. She learned leadership skills as a counselor and met people who broadened her world, leading her to places she had never considered, including college. Yvette shared her story this year as part of our Employee Giving Campaign to encourage employees to donate to United Way, which supports organizations like the ones she credits for her success. Together, Comcast NBCUniversal raised $10 million dollars this year for thousands of nonprofits nationwide
"Those programs give you an opportunity to see beyond your block. I think that in the long run, giving to worthwhile programs makes the community you live in better."
Sherri Fickenscher - Early Intervention Specialist, The Clarke School, Philadelphia
More than 100,000 volunteers strengthened communities in 21 countries this past Comcast Cares Day by cleaning up playgrounds, revitalizing schools, providing free legal services to nonprofits and much more. One of the projects took place in North Philadelphia's The Clarke School , which teaches children who are board deaf or hard of hearing to learn spoken language skills. The My Abilities Employee Resource Group, whose members are dedicated to helping Comcast NBCUniversal embrace people of all abilities, organized the project.
Kelsey Foster – Tech Impact AllStars Winner, New Orleans
Kelsey Foster won a grant from Comcast NBCUniversal and partner NationSwell to continue her work engaging New Orleanians in their city government by participating in the Big Easy Budget Game, an online interactive game she created for New Orleans residents to set budget priorities for the city and the consequences on city services. Kelsey, along with four other finalists, received video production support and media coverage to tell her story.
Mike Piel, Manager, Commercial Direct MDU Sales at Comcast, Houston
In the aftermath of this year’s devastating disasters that impacted communities in Texas, Florida and California, Comcast NBCUniversal employees came together to help customers, fellow employees and neighbors recover. From employees who worked long days and nights to restore connections, to the $20 million in support provided for disaster relief, Comcast NBCUniversal stepped up as an organization that cares. That included the efforts of employee Mike Piel, who led a team of four men and two boats to come to the rescue of his fellow Texans after Hurricane Harvey.
Josh Delano – Fresno, CA Internet Essentials Customer
Internet Essentials reached a significant milestone this year with more than 4 million low-income Americans connected to low-cost, high-speed internet at home since the program began in 2011. For parents like Josh Delano, a veteran and student, that meant providing crucial access that would otherwise not be afforded.
D’Ontae J., Club Member/Junio Staff, Boys & Girls Club of Muskegon Lakeshore, Muskegon, MI
This year, Comcast NBCUniversal upgraded My.Future this year, a digital platform created with partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Available to club members across the country, the enhanced online learning platform teaches computer science and allows kids to interact in a safe environment. For D’Ontae, My.Future is an opportunity to share his passion for all things digital with fellow Club members and get them excited about a future in technology, as well.
"One of the main reasons why I like coming here is to share my knowledge with the other members and teach the stuff that I have learned doing technology.” – D’Ontae J., Club Member/Junior Staff, BGC of Muskegon Lakeshore