For Immediate Release One of Chicago’s Oldest Nonprofits Serving Minorities
Receives $2.9 Million from Microsoft
CHICAGO – Nov. 6, 2006 – In an effort to bridge the digital divide and increase workforce readiness, Microsoft has awarded an Unlimited Potential grant worth more than $2.9 million in cash, software, curriculum and hardware to Ada S. McKinley, one of the oldest nonprofit agencies in Chicago serving African Americans. This grant is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential program, which promotes digital inclusion and increased access to technology skills training in underserved communities. The program is part of a global initiative supporting Microsoft’s broader goal of bringing the benefits of technology to a quarter of a billion people by 2010. “We are extremely thankful to Microsoft for this generous gift and know the more than 12,000 clients we serve will be the true beneficiaries,” said Executive Director George Jones Jr., Ada. S. McKinley. “This donation will help open many doors to our clients, granting them access to technology they may not have had without the support from Microsoft. As we continue to work to empower and educate the Chicago community, we are thrilled for this tremendous level of corporate support.” Serving 91% African Americans, 6.5% Hispanics and 2.4% Caucasians, Ada S. McKinley reaches out to clients of all ages, residing primarily in underserved communities of Chicago’s South Side. The agency’s mission is to serve those, who, because of disabilities or other limiting conditions, need help in finding and pursuing paths leading to healthy, productive and fulfilling lives. “I commend Microsoft for being such a fine corporate citizen and for supporting one of Chicago’s most effective community organizations,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “This generous grant will give a big boost to our citywide efforts to close the digital divide and prepare our residents for the high-tech jobs of the 21st century.” Part of the grant will support the McKinley Neighborhood House, a community center for people of all ages, providing after school programs for youth and day programs for seniors. The McKinley Neighborhood House Computer Lab offers technology access and training to all South Chicago residents, such as academic tutoring and homework assistance, as well as specific software training to assist with workforce development. A number of recent studies show while computer access is expanding rapidly, there remain gaps in access based on income, race, education level and region U. S. Department of Commerce Report (February 2002). More than 32 percent of white families own computers, compared with only 19 percent of black and Hispanic families. Through Microsoft’s grant, the McKinley Neighborhood House Computer Lab will help to address this disparity by providing access to e-mail and the Internet to residents of South Chicago. The adults who participate in this program will make use of vocational software, gain computer competencies, and increase job opportunities. They will also use computer technology to perform such career-oriented tasks as job searching and posting their resumes online. “We are honored to provide this grant to Ada S. McKinley and are proud of its great work here in Chicago,” said Microsoft Midwest District General Manager Janet Kennedy. “Microsoft believes technology truly enables every person to realize their potential, which is why Microsoft and our employees have donated more than $42 million in cash and software to community organizations throughout Chicago since 2003. The McKinley Neighborhood Center Computer Lab is helping to create brighter futures for Chicagoland’s youth and adults looking to reenter the workforce, and for that we applaud them.” This grant was officially announced during the annual Ada S. McKinley banquet on Saturday, November 4. About Ada S. McKinley More information on Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. can be found on About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, press only: Christa Shalhoub Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp. Computer Lab Tiffany Almanza, 16, has attended the McKinley South Chicago Neighborhood House after school program since she was five years old. Currently, she attends the after school Teen REACH Program, which serves low income youth and their families with after school tutoring, recreation, cultural activities, life skills, and parent involvement, Mondays through Thursdays. Tiffany is a junior at the Chicago Discovery Academy at Bowen High School where she has maintained an A grade point average for the past two years. Recently when Tiffany’s home computer crashed and was deemed too old to fix, she began arriving to Neighborhood House two hours early – the after school program opens at 6:00 – to complete her homework. Teen REACH Program youth counselor Denise Miranda arranged for Tiffany to arrive early to have extra time to finish her homework. Tiffany said her skills have improved significantly with the tutoring she has received from the computer instructor, Froilan Nunez, who volunteers in the evening. “Although it was very convenient to do my homework on the computer at home,” said Tiffany, one of six children, “I’m glad I can come to Neighborhood House and use their computer lab. I am taking college and AP classes this year so I have a lot of homework which require extensive research.” Recently Tiffany was asked to participate in writing a children’s book for sexually abused children in Africa. In the midst of her hectic school schedule, she finds time to participate on the school’s Academic Decathlon and softball teams. After graduating from Bowen in 2008, she plans to attend college and major in composition writing or sports journalism. At Neighborhood House, Tiffany often assists the computer instructor with tutoring younger students to help them enhance their computer skills. Her younger brother also attends the Teen REACH Program. Adults who attend the computer make use of vocational software, gain computer competencies, and increase job opportunities. They also use computer technology to perform career-oriented tasks, including job searching and posting their resumes online. A photo is available of student and instructor. Contact Valerie Avery at (312) 385-2040.
|
|