January 31,2004
Verizon Grant Supports Technology Efforts in Grapevine:
$30000 Grant to Benefit GRACE Tech Center
Irving, Texas - Verizon has awarded a $30000 grant to the
Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange (GRACE) organization to support
technology education for the Grapevine community.
L-R: Stephanie Rivera, GRACE
Board President; Cesar Moncada, Verizon-External
Affairs; Gary Bowker, Board Vice President; Connie
Schaffer, Board Secretary and Ron Wettig, Board
Treasurer |
Click on
photos to enlarge.
The grant from Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of
Verizon, will enable GRACE to develop and maintain computer literacy and
other educational programs in a community technology center.
Grapevine residents, along with residents of Southlake and
Colleyville, with limited computer experience may attend classes to
learn software skills, including word processing, spreadsheets,
presentations, Internet, and computer basics. The GRACE Tech Center
also includes a computer lab setting where volunteers will refurbish
donated computers to pass on as an incentive to qualified students who
complete the training.
Elva Garza, Donation Station
Manager & Grapevine
resident, attended a course at the GRACE Tech
Center. |
"In today's tight economy, nonprofit organizations need new
tools to increase their efficiency and effectiveness," said Steve Banta,
VerizonSouthwest Region President. "Verizon's grant underscores our
long-standing goal of enriching the communities we serve through
technology."
"The GRACE Tech Center is the fulfillment of a long-standing
goal to offer educational growth and self-improvement opportunities as
well as direct assistance. We're excited about the potential that
computer training offers for the GRACE staff and the broader community,
and very grateful to Verizon for helping us take this giant step
forward!" Tricia Wood, GRACE Executive Director.
Trained volunteers teach two levels of technology courses in
English and Spanish. Courses include Intro to Personal Computers, as
well as introductory and more advanced classes in Word, Excel, Power
Point and Using the Internet. GRACE plans to increase the variety of
courses over the next year, and continues to seek qualified bilingual
volunteers to serve as instructors. For class schedule information
please visit www.gracegrapevine.org.
Tech Center volunteers will host an Open House from 11:30 AM -
1:30 PM on March 4 to honor program supporters and offer prospective
students and volunteers a glimpse of what's in store.
Nationwide, Verizon Foundation last year award 22,000 grants
totaling more than $70 million to charitable and nonprofit agencies that
focus on improving basic and computer literacy, enriching communities
through technology, and creating a skilled work force. The foundation
used its resources in the United States and abroad to develop
partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving
the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of
domestic violence and the economically and socially disadvantaged.
The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive
program that last year encouraged Verizon employees to volunteer more
than 500,000 hours in their communities and provided $27.8 million in
combined contributions to charitable and nonprofit organizations. For
more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.
GRACE is a local nonprofit agency fulfilling the mission "Giving
as we have received to help those in need." The agency offers a
long-term Transitional Housing program and short-term emergency
assistance with vital necessities for families in Grapevine, Colleyville
and Southlake who are struggling with a limited income or recent crisis.
GRACE is located at 610 Shady Brook Drive in Grapevine. Hours are 9 AM
- 5 PM all weekdays except Wednesday hours, which are 1 PM - 6 PM. For
information regarding GRACE please call 817-488-7009 or visit
the Grace Web Site, Click
Here.
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