Parent Institute for Quality Education Receives $25,000 Verizon Grant to Promote Parent Involvement in Education

The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) has received a $25,000 grant from Verizon in continued support of the institute's Parent Involvement in Education program in eight California schools in San Diego County.

The grant, which will help PIQE meet the needs of about 750 parents and more than 2,000 students in low-income neighborhoods, brings to $75,000 the total funding that the organization has received from Verizon since 2007.

David Valladolid, PIQE's president and CEO, said: "Verizon's continued support allows us to address the educational achievement gap, high dropout rate and low college enrollment levels of low-income and underserved students in California, through stronger partnerships between schools and communities."

The Parent Involvement in Education program informs parents how to effectively communicate with teachers and counselors to determine students' progress relative to grade-level expectations. In addition, parents learn how to navigate the school system and understand which classes students must take to prepare for post-secondary education. At the end of the nine-week program, parent graduates will receive a college admission certificate, which reserves a space for their child in the California State University system when they graduate from high school and meet college admission requirements.

Elva Lima, Verizon vice president, strategic programs, said, "PIQE's aim of improving education and literacy through strong community partnerships is a successful formula that Verizon is proud to support."

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  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 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 87 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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