A team of workers and executives from Comcast converged on the Mildred Avenue Community Center in Mattapan last Wednesday (July 26) and announced a $10,000 donation to the center as they toured the facility and worked on improvement projects.

Comcast’s Project Team Up, a company volunteer program, has been instrumental in providing internet access to the center over the past year, using the Lift Zone program that offers members of the center free wi-fi.

“We came today to roll up our sleeves and get some things done, but we also want to provide a $10,000 donation to the community center as part of our visit,” said Loren Hudson, chief diversity officer for Comcast Cable.

Mildred Avenue Director Jeff Jackson said the Boston Center for Youth and Families (BCYF) facility didn’t have internet access before the Lift Zone. Now, staff can utilize all kinds of functions, including a computerized T-shirt press, high-speed internet for karaoke and dance parties, as well as computer classes for senior citizens.

“If a guest was coming and needed to make a presentation, before we told them to put it on a flash drive or on their desktop because we didn’t have internet access at all,” he said.

Senior citizens and young people will now be able to make podcasts from the internet-enable studio at the center. During the visit, Mattapan’s Glenola Mitchell hosted a podcast with Comcast’s Hudson to talk about the importance of networking as a person of color.

Said BCYF Director Marta Rivera: “We’re grateful for Comcast’s support of our community centers. Today’s Team UP event was a lot of fun while teaching our staff and our center visitors new skills such as practicing how to network for career advancement.”