Girls in the YWCA Central Maine afterschool program participate in STEM activities. Submitted photo

LEWISTON — The YWCA Central Maine recently received 100 wireless hotspots and two years of service help provide equitable learning access and opportunities and keep local youth connected.

The donation, valued at $122,600, is part of UScellular’s After School Access Project.

More than 40 million people in the United States lack reliable access to high-speed internet. This leads to an issue known as the “homework gap” among youth who lack proper internet access, according to a news release from Jennifer Molloy, director of Development and Communications at the YWCA.

The project provides free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended and provides safe internet access for homework and education

Through the project, the company has pledged to donate up to $13 million in hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet in its markets.

Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply online at afterschoolaccessproject.com.

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