Verizon Supports 34 Indiana Nonprofit Groups to Promote Literacy, Technology and Workforce Development

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to improving literacy and technology education in Indiana last year through grants for a broad range of literacy, workforce development, community technology and human service programs. Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, donated $462,324 to 34 nonprofit groups in the state during 2002.

"In today's tight economy, nonprofit organizations need financial assistance now more than ever," said Lori Macklin, Verizon vice president -- regulatory and government affairs. "Verizon's grants underscore our long-standing goal of improving the communities we serve and our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers."

Recipients of major grants included:

• Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, Lafayette -- $21,273 to create purchase ten computers and software to furnish a computer lab.

• Elkhart Area Career Center, Elkhart -- $12,500 to provide expand the offerings for GED and ESL programming to our Family Literacy component

• United Way of Allen County, Fort Wayne, $64,000 to launch IN 211, a community-based telephone information and referral service intended to serve local and regional communities

In addition, literacy grants went to the Allen County Local Education Fund, Fort Wayne; Birth-to-Five, Inc., Richmond; Goshen Adult Literacy Center, Goshen; Light House Mission, Terre Haute; Multi-Cultural Advisory on Youth Alternative, Inc., Fort Wayne; Purdue University, W. Lafayette; Three Rivers Literacy Alliance, Fort Wayne; and United Way of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Goshen, Goshen; Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley, Inc., Terre Haute; Mental Health Association in Indiana, Valparaiso; Porter County Community Foundation, Valparaiso; Science Central, Inc., Fort Wayne; United Way of Elkhart County, Elkhart; United Way of Wabash Valley, Inc., Terre Haute; and the United Way of Whitewater Valley, Richmond.

Verizon recognized the importance of the state's workforce development programs by awarding additional grants to the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Inc., Indianapolis; Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne; Green Acres, Inc., Richmond; Ivy Tech Foundation Inc., Richmond; Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Inc., Fort Wayne; Portage Adult Education, Portage; and Transition Resources Corporation, Indianapolis.

In addition to Verizon Foundation grants, almost $335,000 was contributed to 191 different agencies and organizations in Indiana through Verizon Volunteers, a program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to the nonprofit organizations that employees support.

Verizon Foundation is committed to helping people and communities make progress every day. The foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

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 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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