Press Release

Partnership to Donate 500 Surplus Computers to San Diego's After School Programs

First Computers to be Donated Monday, Oct. 30, to Wangenheim and Walker Schools in Mira Mesa

San Diego, Calif., October 27, 2000 - Four area community organizations are banding together to refurbish and provide 500 surplus computers to San Diego County's Critical Hours and the City's "6 to 6" programs. Both programs provide a safe place for elementary and middle school age youth to experience academic enrichment and recreational activities during the hours that most parents work.

Spearheaded by the San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF), the partnership includes Harmonium, a nonprofit organization promoting the well being of children and youth, the oldepicentre, a teen center run by Harmonium, and the Pangea Foundation.

County Supervisor Pam Slater and representatives of the SDFF, Harmonium and the oldepicentre are schedule to donate the first 10 computers during a kick-off event at the oldepicentre on Monday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. Following the event, teens from the oldepicentre will deliver the first computers to Wangenheim Middle School and Walker Elementary School, both located in Mira Mesa.

The oldepicentre, one of the County's Critical Hours facilities, will play an integral part in refurbishing and installing the computers at more than 50 locations throughout the County.

"The exciting part of this program is that high school students receiving computer technology training through oldepicentre receive hands-on experience~in a project that benefits the entire community of San Diego," said Samuel Ingersoll-Weng, oldepicentre Director.

The oldepicentre will refurbish 10 computers a week over the next year. Teens will receive computer technology training at the oldepicentre and through Pangea Foundation. Pangea, a SDFF Outreach Center, provides A+ certification training that accommodates youth with disabilities and adults with barriers employment.

"I'm happy to see teenagers refurbishing our surplus PCs to support other youths in the Critical Hour~ and 6 to 6 programs," said Supervisor Slater. "We required our IT vendor to provide services to the community and the Pennant Alliance exceeded this challenge by creating the San Diego Futures Foundation which is forging strategic partnerships with worthwhile organizations in our communities."

"We're delighted to partner with Harmonium, oldepicentre, and Pangea Foundation to support the investment both the County and City of San Diego have made in after school programs," stated Becky Stawiski, Executive Director of the Futures Foundation. "Our unique partnership with the County makes it possible to support this program by earmarking surplus computers from the County to deserving area organizations."

The SDFF makes information technology available to the broadest range of San Diego County residents through the delivery of hardware, software, communications, training and education. The Foundation plans to distribute more than 3,000 computers each year to schools and community-based organizations and to establish a regional service, support and training system for recipients through

Technology Outreach Centers.

The Pennant Alliance is led by Computer Sciences Corporation, and includes Science Applications International Corporation, Pacific Bell and Lucent Technologies, now Avaya.

Other Foundation initiatives include an intern program, technology workshops for teachers, a teacher mentor program and development of technical services for community organizations. Additional information about the San Diego Futures Foundation may be obtained by contacting Stawiski at: stawiskir@saic.com.