Verizon Providing Free Thinkfinity Training Workshops for Community Based Organizations

Educational and non-profit organizations in the Buffalo area looking to help improve student achievement in traditional classroom settings and beyond are invited to attend Verizon's free Thinkfinity training on Friday, (Feb. 5).

Verizon's Thinkfinity.org makes it easy for educators to enhance their classroom instruction with online lesson plans, interactive activities and other Internet-based resources.  Thinkfinity.org also provides a wealth of educational and literacy resources for students, parents and after-school programs.

The Buffalo Thinkfinity Training, offered in conjunction with the New York Institute of Technology at the Buffalo Teacher Resource Center, provides a comprehensive professional development program that allows organizations to take full advantage of Verizon's Thinkfinity tools. 

Organizations interested in participating should contact the co-director of the Buffalo Teacher Resource Center, Christine SantaMaria, at csantamaria@buffaloschools.org or by phone at 716-816-3048, ext 8762.  The center is located at 150 Lower Terrace in Buffalo.

"This is a great opportunity for Buffalo-area groups to get a free first-hand look at all the advanced online and Internet tools that Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity.org has to offer," said Maureen Rasp-Glose, Verizon director of government and external affairs.  "We are confident the literacy community will discover the value of this technology as an important learning tool."

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 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 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 $26.1 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 5 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 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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