City and Comcast team up to give away computers

TRENTON » About 40 local families received free computers last weekend during a community event at Gregory Elementary School.

The families gathered at Gregory last Saturday for breakfast and were joined by several administrators from Trenton Public Schools, including Superintendent Fred McDowell. The families had the opportunity to interact with community partners and take home a computer from the Trenton Digital Initiative (TDI Connect).

In addition to getting free computers at the event, eligible families that signed up for Comcast Internet Essentials received free internet service for the first six months of their service plan, according to a Comcast spokeswoman.

The event was organized through a collaborative effort between Trenton Public Schools, Comcast, United Way of Greater Mercer County, TDI Connect and the Center for Child and Family Achievement to help connect economically disadvantaged families to the internet.

Formerly known as the Trenton Digital Initiative, TDI Connect distributes free computers and provides low-cost, high-speed internet access to Trenton residents in need. Approximately 10,000 Trenton families either do not own a computer or do not have access to one, according to information posted on the New Jersey Department of State’s website, which said over 600 computers to date have been delivered to individuals and families in Trenton under the digital initiative.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS LaTanya Green and her son Anthony Green Jr., who attends Gregory Elementary, were among several dozen Trenton families that received free computers during a Sept. 23 event at Gregory School. The mother and son are pictured above and at right with...