Verizon Supports More Than 150 Texas Nonprofits to Promote Literacy, Technology and Workforce Development

IRVING, Texas - Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to improving literacy and technology education in Texas last year through $3.8 million in grants supporting a broad range of literacy, workforce development, technology and human service programs.

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, and Verizon employees donated to more than 150 nonprofit groups in the state during 2002. Verizon this year will donate several million dollars in grants to nonprofits in Texas.

"In today's economy, healthy nonprofit organizations create stronger communities," said Verizon Southwest Region President Steve Banta. "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:
• Texas A&M University Foundation -- $220,000 to build a computer classroom that helps education majors learn how to use computers in the classroom; fund a pre-school literacy program for underprivileged children; and create a math and science-tutoring program for first-generation college students.

• YMCA of San Angelo -- $77,700 to purchase computers and software for a new technology learning center for the city's new YMCA.

• Dallas Reads -- $75,000 to support a variety of educational programs designed to improve basic and computer literacy rates throughout the Dallas metropolitan area.

• Taft Independent School District -- $50,000 for academic scholarships to help single parents become first-generation college students while the local First United Methodist Church provides childcare support.

• Devereux Foundation -- $50,000 to the Devereux School for a computer lab in League City, Texas, for at-risk high school students.

• Barbara Bush Literacy Corps -- $ 46,000 to purchase 15 laptop computers and computer software and to fund training for the Literacy Corps' educational program for minority adults. The grant will support the organization's mobile workforce literacy initiative, which is aimed at creating a more literate and technologically fluent workforce in the Bryan/College Station area.

• North Central Texas WorkForce Development Board -- $46,000 to purchase software and computer hardware for WorkForce Center computers that will aid customers who are visually or hearing impaired.M.

In addition, literacy grants were awarded to Avance, Dallas County Community College District Foundation, Dickinson ISD, Friends of the Crosby Library, Friends of the Stafford Library, Georgetown Area United Way, Keller Public Library, Literacy Volunteers of America-Brazos Valley, Mi Escuelita Preschool Inc., Literacy Instruction for Texas and the Salvation Army.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to Angelo State University, Clear Creek ISD, College of the Mainland-Bacliff, Collin County United Way, Dallas Museum of Natural History, Friends of the Colleyville Public Library, Irving Schools Foundation, North Bryan Community Center, North Central Texas Women's Business Development Council, North Texas Public Broadcasting Inc./KERA, Odem/Edroy ISD, Plano ISD, Texas Woman's University, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, United Way of the Concho Valley, University of North Texas Foundation and Wall ISD.

Verizon recognized the importance of the state's workforce development programs by awarding additional grants to the Boy Scouts of America - Circle Ten Council, Central & South Texas Minority Business Council, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Women's Foundation, Greater Dallas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, Sinton For Youth, Texas Independent College Fund, United Negro College Fund, United Way of Metropolitan Tarrant County and the Volunteer Center of Dallas County.

Last year, Verizon employees volunteered more than 22,000 hours to nonprofit agencies in Texas. In addition, various nonprofit organizations received $881,000 in contributions from employees, including a matching grant from Verizon Foundation. Through a program called Verizon Volunteers, the foundation 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. 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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to 33 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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