As Philadelphia’s oldest Latino social service agency, Concilio’s role in our community is a significant one.  In addition to providing essential social services and helping to maintain our cultural heritage, we serve as a voice for the diverse Latino community around issues impacting children, youth and families.
Few issues facing Latino youth today are as great as the digital divide. In our increasing online society, it is far too easy for our children to be left behind due to lack of resources or perceived relevancy. Our children—and our families—need access to the internet to succeed.
While there is much work to be done to increase digital literacy in our City, we are lucky to have partners like Comcast to help. Comcast has been a tremendous advocate for getting technology into the hands of our children and families, and providing them access to broadband internet.
Thanks to Comcast, Concilio installed two state-of-the-art computer labs in our new facility on Hunting Park Avenue. These labs are used by children in our after-school program, and by various members our community who need the internet for items ranging from applying for jobs to communicating with their long-distance family members.
Comcast also works tirelessly to promote Internet Essentials, the company’s low-cost broadband adoption program. For under $10 per month, families that qualify can receive broadband internet at home, and low-cost computer equipment, too. I have seen firsthand the difference having internet at home can mean for our youth, and I know this program is making a great difference in the lives of people in our community.
As City Council proceeds in the coming weeks to renew Comcast’s franchise agreement, I hope that our elected officials take into account all it is doing to bridge the digital divide for our families.

Joanna Oter-Cruz is the executive director of The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. (Concilio)