Camden nonprofit Hopeworks on Tuesday said it recently expanded its long-term partnership with Comcast.
The multifaceted relationship — consisting of financial support, mentorship, skill development and business opportunities — began in 2000, and recently grew to include two new impactful measures.
First, Comcast invested in Hopeworks’ expansion into Philadelphia, and, second, Comcast launched an interactive online map, built in partnership with Hopeworks, to encourage people to patronize Comcast RISE small businesses in their communities.
Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment, was created to help strengthen and empower small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, and during its two-year term awarded monetary, marketing and technology grants to a total of 13,000 small businesses owned by women and people of color.
“We are so grateful to count Comcast as a longtime partner. Our Geographic Information System team recently partnered with the Comcast RISE team on this interactive map project and delivered a valuable tech tool that will enable consumers to find and patronize Comcast RISE businesses in their local communities,” Luis Olivieri, GIS director at Hopeworks stated. “Our organizations have a common goal — to make a positive impact in our region, increase digital equity and support young professionals and entrepreneurs. Through this ongoing partnership, we are able to achieve our goal and continue to provide support to those who need it.”
Throughout their two-decade partnership, Comcast has supported Hopeworks through charitable funding, as a GIS client and with a steady roster of employee volunteers and mentors as part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to help bridge the digital divide. Together, Comcast and Hopeworks are creating greater opportunities for access to technology, as well as development of the skills to harness it. Comcast and Hopeworks have strengthened their partnership throughout the years to support thousands of young professionals in developing skills that open doors for opportunities, and the creation of the interactive map is just another example of the impact these two organizations are helping to drive in local communities.
“During its two-year run, Comcast RISE has awarded grants to small businesses owned by women and people of color to help grow their businesses, create jobs and play a vital role in supporting their communities — by providing resources and tools that can help them excel for years to come,” Regan Yeldell, executive director of program management for Comcast RISE, stated. “Through this partnership with Hopeworks, our teams and consumers alike can visually locate, support and promote the Comcast RISE recipients in their local areas.”
