Verizons Support To Living Advantage's Foster Youth Educational Plan Within USC Family Of Schools
Verizon is instrumental in Living Advantage's ability to utilize technology that support foster youth. Their collaboration with several USC's departments and Manuel Arts High School will introduce the Thinkfinity.org program to the students.
- Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) August 04, 2010 - Living Advantage, Inc. Receives Verizon Grant for Continued Support in Expanding Educational Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care
Verizon Thinkfinity.org Resources to be Incorporated into Foster Youth Educational Plan within USC Family of Schools
More than 300 hundred Los Angeles area youth living in foster care will receive enhanced access to information that promotes education, independence, and self-sufficiency, thanks to a $9,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon. With the help of the University of Southern California's Joint Educational Project, Manual Arts High School, and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Verizon Thinkfinity.org educational resources will be integrated as part of Living Advantage's Virtual Assistant Living and Educational (VALE) program. The VALE program is a secure e-data collection and storage web application that maintains vital life documents, including birth certificates and social security cards, for foster youth as they move through the foster system.
"Facts prove that, when foster youth are removed from an abusive environment their immediate physical safety improves; however the change can lead to a lack of educational attention. When a youth is moved from place to place vital documents and records fail to follow them, creating an educational road block," said Pamela Clay, Living Advantage executive director. "Verizon has been the backbone of our organization's ability to utilize technology as a basis for supporting foster youth. We greatly appreciate Verizon's continued support and trust in our innovative service to at-risk youth. We are looking forward to our collaboration with USC's Joint Educational Project, Manuel Arts High School, and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in implementing the Verizon Thinkfinity.org program within the USC Family of Schools."
Verizon Thinkfinity.org is a free, comprehensive Web site containing more than 55,000 educational resources, including standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans, online educational games, videos and other materials provided in partnership with many of the nation's leading educational organizations.
"Verizon is pleased to partner with Living Advantage to give foster youth a greater chance at educational success," said Julia Cooksey, Verizon director of government and external affairs. "By implementing the Thinkfinity.org assessments, Read, Write, Think and Mathematic programs, students can follow through with their education even if they are removed from one home and placed into another across the city."
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 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.
About Living Advantage, Inc.
The mission of Living Advantage is to eliminate unemployment, homelessness and incarceration for youth in foster care living in Los Angeles County. We assist youth with locating and maintaining their vital life documents and family history. This provides them the opportunity to receive the much needed resources and services from the community on a consistent basis. Utilizing innovative technology and media enables us to better serve and meet their higher need. Living Advantage inspires and educates people about how to invest in the lives of our youth living in foster care, to raise money and bring awareness through live entertainment, online video streaming and social media. www.LivingAdvantageInc.org.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wire line 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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Media contact:
Kelsey Larsen, USC Intern
323.731.6471
KLarsen ( @ ) usc dot edu
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