Verizon Awards $25,000 to Help Wilmington Kids Learn Computer and Internet Skills

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Verizon today underscored its commitment to support computer training for inner-city youth and their families by announcing a $25,000 grant to Neighborhood House.

The funds will be used to purchase high-tech equipment and help train teachers who will provide instruction in computer and Internet skills at the center, which is located in Wilmington's Southbridge section.

"Our goal is to bring technology education and Internet access to every child and home in south Wilmington," said Arthur Boswell, executive director of Neighborhood House. "This seed money from Verizon Delaware is a critical element that moves us closer to meeting our objective."

Neighborhood House is creating a Family Technology Center at the facility. When the center opens next year, it will offer Christina School District students computer instruction that relates directly to their schoolwork. In addition, the center will offer computer training to neighborhood residents, who will then be qualified to teach computer skills to others in the community. Neighborhood House is partnering with consultant James Bonds of Boardroom Presentations and several education and community groups to fund its computer and literacy skills program.

"Our children are our future and it's essential that they obtain the computer-literacy skills required to succeed in business or life," said Joshua W. Martin III, president of Verizon Delaware. "Our company is committed to building a telecommunications network in Delaware that is second to none, and this grant helps to ensure that all Delawareans will have the tools to use it."

The $25,000 award brings to more than $600,000 the total Delaware grants made in 2001 to charitable and education groups by Verizon Delaware and Verizon Foundation (www.verizon.com/foundation), Verizon's philanthropic arm.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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