Nearly 600 District of Columbia Nonprofits Received $6.3 Million in Verizon Foundation Grants in 2007

WASHINGTON - The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Fight for Children, and Washington Parks and People were among 599 local and national nonprofit groups in the District of Columbia that received nearly $6.3 million from the Verizon Foundation in 2007.

In addition, Verizon employees and retirees in Washington donated more than 3,650 hours and raised more than $271,000 last year for nonprofits under the foundation's Verizon Volunteers program. 

The grants have enabled the recipient organizations to improve basic literacy skills, create new and diverse approaches to technology-based learning, and help domestic violence victims rebuild their lives.

"Our efforts are rooted in a century-old tradition of giving back to the communities we serve, guided by the firm belief that technology can have a profound and positive effect on social issues," said William R. Roberts, regional president of Verizon Maryland and Washington, D.C.  "Our foundation makes a positive difference by supporting and investing in the people and organizations striving to improve the quality of life in our communities - where our customers and employees live and work.

"That difference can be made in the progress of our children as they study to meet the challenge of learning and working in the 21st century; in the lives of millions of Americans with low literacy skills who are unable to complete a job application or even read a menu; and in the lives of men and women who live in abusive and deadly situations and for whom a phone can open a line to hope," said Roberts.

The District of Columbia nonprofits that received Verizon Foundation grants during 2007 included:

• Verizon Community Technology Centers - these five state-of-the-art technology centers allow D.C. residents access to high-speed Internet, technology-based training and literacy classes at no charge. The centers are conveniently located throughout the city.

• Mary's Center for Maternity and Child Care - a community-based organization based in Adams Morgan, the center builds better futures for families through the delivery of health care, education and social services. Recognized as a national model, Mary's Center is committed to providing culturally competent programs and services to improve the quality of life of diverse families. 
• The Urban Alliance Foundation - an organization whose mission is to prepare young adults from under-resourced neighborhoods in the District for the world of work and a life of self-sufficiency through education, mentoring and meaningful paid internships.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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