Comcast California Hosts Digital Equity Summit in Sonoma County

The summit addressed mental health needs affecting Latino and youth populations by fostering collaboration between key stakeholders, and provided education on available digital tools and resources.

Comcast, along with its community partners, Los Cien Sonoma County and Fast Forward, hosted a Digital Equity Summit in Sonoma County. The gathering brought together hundreds of executives, program directors, community leaders, public officials, and non-profit stakeholders from around the region to ignite change and create a path towards Bridging the Resource Divide with Technology.

The goals of the summit were to highlight best practices; learn more about current and future needs of vulnerable communities—especially as it relates to the Latino community in Sonoma County; and identify challenges, solutions, and funding resources. The summit served as a moment to take a critical deep dive into different strategies to address the current mental health crisis facing Sonoma County’s youth.

The conversation focused primarily on K-12 students, and included the voices of community partners, such as Close Gap, The Sonoma County Office of Education, and On The Margins. Each organization shared their key findings and collective work to equip Latino youth with the digital tools and resources they need to tackle mental health with coping strategies and training.

“Closing the digital divide is more than just providing access—it’s about opportunity, inclusion, and well-being,” said Marcos Montes, Director of Government Affairs, Comcast. “Working hand-in-hand with our nonprofit partners and elected officials, we can ensure that students and families have the tools they need to connect, learn, and thrive. But access alone isn’t enough; we must also prioritize mental health support to help people navigate the digital landscape in a way that fosters well-being.”

“Comcast’s continued partnership and dedication to our communities has made it possible for more students, children, seniors, and families to get connected to the internet,” said Herman G. Hernández, executive director, Los Cien Sonoma County. “In an increasingly connected world, digital equity is a right. Continuing to work with partners such as Comcast, we’ll be able to create supportive environments that prioritize mental health through digital equity. A true equitable future ensures that no one is left behind, online or off.”

“Technology has the power to connect, educate, and uplift — but only if everyone has access and the support to use it,” said Anna Pickren, VP of Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising at Fast Forward. “Thank you to Comcast and other partners for hosting this digital equity summit today, a reflection of Comcast’s commitment to the communities we serve. Digital equity and mental health must go hand in hand to build a truly inclusive and resilient society. I am eager to see how insights from today’s conversation will help improve the lives of the children and families.” 

Since 2019, Comcast has invested more than $100,000 in funding and in-kind donations to support Los Cien’s mission to advance the voices and resources for under-resourced Latino and other communities in Sonoma County. Comcast’s growing partnership with the organization includes a workforce development initiative which empowers and trains college students and graduates to address community needs through technology. Technology is a major part of everyday life, and Comcast’s investments in Los Cien can help close the digital divide for more people and families in California.

Comcast’s commitment to providing digital opportunities goes beyond these conversations and aims to increase economic mobility for the local community and its residents. That’s why Comcast created Internet Essentials, a broadband adoption program that offers eligible households low-cost, high-speed internet and the option to purchase a heavily subsidized computer. Additionally, over the past three years, Comcast has invested more than $130.5 million in cash and in-kind donations into California nonprofits focused on helping people build digital skills, expanding Lift Zones, which offer access to free WiFi, and funding connectivity and internet adoption programs.