Verizon Supports New York City Nonprofit Groups to Promote Literacy, Technology and Workforce Development

NEW YORK - Verizon has reaffirmed its commitment to improving literacy and technology education in New York City through grants for a broad range of literacy, workforce development, community technology and human service programs. Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, donated more than $7.9 million to 400 nonprofit groups in the city during 2002.

"In today's economy, nonprofit organizations need financial assistance now more than ever," said Paul Crotty, Verizon's group president for New York and Connecticut. "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:
• American Foundation for the Blind, Inc. -- $200,000 to provide textbooks for blind and visually impaired schoolchildren.

• Asian American Federation of New York, Inc. -- $50,000 to develop computer technology infrastructure.

• Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc. -- $50,000 to provide workforce development training to rehabilitated felons.

In addition, literacy grants went to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc.; Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy; Literacy Assistance Center; Reading Excellence and Discovery Foundation, Inc.; Starlight Children's Foundation; and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to the Jewish Community Council of Coney Island; New York Cares; Inwood Community Services; Per Scholas; Medical and Health Research Association of New York City; Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation; Gay Men's Health Crisis, Inc.; and the Hispanic Federation.

Verizon recognized the importance of the city's workforce development programs by awarding additional grants to Highbridge Community Life Center, Inc.; Audubon Partnership for Economic Development; Forest Hills Community House, Inc.; National Association on Drug Abuse Problems; and Workforce Strategy Center.

Other grant recipients included the New York City Public Private Initiatives Inc.; United Negro College Fund; City Parks Foundation; Columbia University; St. John's University; National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; Committee for Economic Development; Inner City Scholarship Fund; Region Plan Association; New York City Police Foundation; and NYC 2012.

In addition to Verizon Foundation grants, city agencies received more than $1.4 million 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

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 more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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