NEW YORK – In a collaboration designed to bridge the technology gap, the New York Urban League, Verizon, and the New York City Department of Education today launched the New York Urban League Technology & Education Center at the Harlem Renaissance High School. This Center will offer broadband access and computer skills training as well as targeted employment and educational workshops, affirming the Urban League’s commitment to empowering the Harlem community.

 During a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, April 12th, the New York Urban League received a check in the amount of $150,000 as part of the Verizon Foundation’s $300,000 commitment to the center’s operations in 2010-11. The Center will be open to the public as well as students, providing crucial computer skills training and access to advance learning and employment throughout the community.

Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League, said, “Thanks to support from Verizon and the Verizon Foundation, we are able to continue providing technology education for students and the community in Harlem and beyond, ensuring that as many people as possible benefit from the rich world of information on the Internet.”

The Urban League will use the grant to offer Internet-skills workshops and broadband Internet access to students and the general public, including senior citizens, which will assist them in navigating city services, and searches for employment and educational opportunities. The educational content for students will include access and training in the use of media and technology tools.

Jim Gerace, president of Verizon’s New York region, noted that “The Center brings together the best of our commitment to community involvement and to technology education. We look forward to working with the Urban League and the Department of Education along with community partners to continue supporting education and outreach efforts within the community.”

The Harlem Renaissance High School Principal, Mary Rice Boothe, said, “Successful partnerships with the community are the bedrock of our success at the Harlem Renaissance High School. This venue for the Technology & Education Center, in partnership with the New York Urban League, opens the door to students, parents, and the community to progress in many ways by connecting to technology.” 

The New York Urban League Technology & Education Center at the Harlem Renaissance High School is located at 22 East 128^th Street (between Madison and Fifth Aves). The center will be open to the public 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm Monday through Friday and 11:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday. 

About the NYUL 

The New York Urban League was founded by a group of prominent New Yorkers concerned with the poor state of blacks migrating to New York City from the south and the Caribbean Islands. From its inception it provided employment and connections for migrating blacks bridging the adjustment from the agricultural/rural life to the industrial urban center. Each decade following, “The League” provided critical services such as emergency aid for the unemployed during the Great Depression; formed of the Committee for Interracial Voluntary Hospitals to provide care and work in local hospitals; negotiated the opening of employment for blacks in the airline, brewing, and baking industries; created “Street Academies” which became a national model for high school students; published the first State of Black New York report; and created its signature events including Frederick Douglas Dinner, Whitney M. Young Jr. Classic, and Champion of Diversity Breakfast among many other milestones. For more information visit www.nyul.org or call 212.926-8000.

About the Verizon Foundation

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.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: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 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.

About the New York City Department of Education

The New York City Department of Education is the largest system of public schools in the United States, serving about 1.1 million students in over 1,600 schools. For more information visit http://schools.nyc.gov.

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