Posted to MediaSyndicate.com (Nov 20, 2009 - 07:34 AM) : Living Advantage, Inc. & Verizon Announce Partnership to Expand Educational Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care

Verizon Thinkfinity.org Resources to be Incorporated into
Foster Youth Educational Plan


LOS ANGELES – More than 300 hundred Los Angeles area youth living in foster care will get 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. Verizon Thinkfinity.org educational resources will be integrated as part of Living Advantage’s Virtual Assistant Living and Educational (VALE) program, a secure e-data collection and storage web application that maintains the 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. “With Verizon's support, youth will have an alternative e-educational plan that will allow them to be consistent in their academic learning for a higher rate of educational success.”
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, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 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 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 3 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 needs.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 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 more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.


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Media contact:
Pamela Clay
323.731.6471
PamelaClay@LivingAdvantageInc.org