Courtesy Spectrum
Spectrum has donated $50,000 to Urban Upbound through its Spectrum Community Center Assist initiative.
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Spectrum, the connectivity brand of Charter Communications, has made a significant contribution to Urban Upbound, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City’s public housing. On September 7, Spectrum announced a $50,000 grant through its Spectrum Community Center Assist (SCCA) initiative, aimed at revitalizing community centers and supporting job training programs in underserved neighborhoods.
The partnership was formally launched during a revitalization event at Urban Upbound’s Queensbridge Houses location in Long Island City. Over 30 Spectrum employees volunteered their time to perform essential improvements to the facility, including painting classrooms and hallways, carpentry work, and setting up a new technology center. The day was marked by a community celebration attended by New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who helped present the donation check and participated in a raffle where attendees had the chance to win free laptops.
The $50,000 grant will be utilized to enhance Urban Upbound’s Workforce Development Program, which provides job readiness training, one-on-one counseling, and other essential services to help community members secure and maintain employment in high-growth sectors. The program is designed to be accessible both in-person and virtually, catering to various learning preferences and ensuring that individuals have the support they need to succeed.
Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact at Charter Communications, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.
“The long-term partnership we are creating with Urban Upbound will make a real difference in the lives of local residents by giving them the skills, tools and updated facilities they need to improve their economic situation,” Khan said. “Thousands of people around the country have participated in SCCA in the neighborhoods we serve, and we look forward to working with Urban Upbound to provide essential job training in a safe and revitalized space.”
In addition to the financial support, Spectrum donated 20 new laptops and a smartboard, and dedicated a new training and technology room to Urban Upbound. Recognizing the critical role of broadband in modern education and training, Spectrum will also provide Urban Upbound with advanced 1 gigabit-per-second internet service for the duration of the program, ensuring reliable and high-speed connectivity for their technology and training programs.
Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Urban Upbound, highlighted the significance of Spectrum’s contribution.
“Urban Upbound extends its heartfelt gratitude to Spectrum for their generous donation of funds and equipment, along with their commitment to revitalizing our technology and training space in Queensbridge,” Taylor said. “Our mission relies on extensive resources and strong partnerships, and Spectrum’s ongoing support exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner. With these enhancements, our team is better equipped to empower even more residents with the skills needed to secure meaningful employment and build sustainable careers, helping them rise above poverty.”
Urban Upbound has a long history of addressing the needs of underserved communities in New York City. The organization’s approach includes a comprehensive array of services designed to foster economic prosperity and self-sufficiency.
“We were the first organization to introduce New York City to Jobs Plus and to launch the first non-city funded Jobs Plus site in Long Island City,” Taylor said. “Our efforts have been the catalyst for the other 43 sites now operating in public housing across the city.”
The aim was to enhance job training and community services in New York City’s public housing.
The services include employment support, college access and youth development, mental health and wellness, financial empowerment and affordable housing counseling, tax preparation and income support, community revitalization through small business innovation, and financial inclusion services anchored by the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union.
“Urban Upbound was created to break cycles of poverty in public housing neighborhoods, but we do it from a different paradigm—not from the outside in and top down, but from the inside out and bottom up,” Taylor said. “We bring together resident leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, and nonprofit leaders to give residents a hand up and a foot in the door, not a handout.”
In addition to the grant and equipment donation, Spectrum’s revitalization efforts were supported by HomeFront, a community-based organization that specializes in providing home repairs to low-income homeowners at no cost. Sean O’Brien, Executive Director of HomeFront, praised Spectrum employees for their volunteer work.
“Over four decades, HomeFront has had the privilege of working with hundreds of volunteer groups,” O’Brien said. “Spectrum employees set a powerful example of volunteerism with their energy, knowledge and compassion. It is an honor to team up with them and envision the positive, life-changing ripple effects of their work.”
The revitalization event also included a community celebration where Spectrum employees, local residents, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the new resources and improvements. New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez spoke about the importance of such collaborative efforts in addressing the needs of underserved communities.
“I am deeply inspired by this generous donation, which exemplifies the powerful impact that dedicated partnerships can have on our communities,” Gonzalez said. “At a time when technology is rapidly changing our workforce, this support will significantly enhance the work Urban Upbound does to influence underserved communities in NYC, allow them to continue critical programming on workforce development, and improve their facilities. It is through such collaborative spirit and shared commitment that we can drive change and uplift the lives of countless individuals across our community.”
Spectrum’s SCCA initiative, which was launched in 2021, is a $30 million investment aimed at supporting 100 community centers and job training programs across the company’s 41-state footprint. The initiative provides cash grants, in-kind contributions, physical improvements to facilities, and new equipment such as laptops and furniture. Each location benefits from Spectrum’s comprehensive support, which includes both financial and hands-on assistance from employees.
For more information about Spectrum Community Center Assist and to learn more about how Spectrum is supporting communities across the country, visit corporate.charter.com/community-assist.
“Spectrum’s donation is very refreshing,” Taylor said. “They are not just providing financial support but also participating in a beautification project and addressing critical infrastructure needs. This partnership underscores the importance of human capital and technological support for nonprofits.”
The grant will fund improvements at Urban Upbound’s Queensbridge Houses location, including new technology and facility upgrades, while Spectrum employees volunteered for hands-on renovations.
