For Immediate Release

Contact:

Paula Jagemann 301-663-3692 paula@paulajagemann.com

The Women in Technology Education Foundation (WITEF) Presents First Grant of 2005 to Hispanic Youth Foundation (HYF)

June 28, 2005 – McLean, VA – Girls In Technology Outreach (“GIT”) is proud to announce that WITEF has made its first grant of 2005. Building on the success of GIT, WITEF enables Women In Technology (“WIT”) to broaden the reach of its charitable arm and provide additional programs to encourage and support technology interest in local girls.

“The key to GIT is exposure. By opening up the eyes of these girls, we are opening up their minds as to what their potential is. The girls win by broadening their idea of who they can be; the world and the IT industry wins with setting the groundwork for their interest and participation in the industry.” - Mario Morino, a leading private donor and philanthropist.

In May 2005, WITEF provided its first grant to HYF’s “Laptops for Learning Dollars” program. A unique application of the “token economy” principle, 122 girls and boys were presented with a state-of-the art laptop computer for use in school and at home. Each child and his/her parent signed an agreement with HYF to make monthly payments over a 24-month period in “Learning Dollars” ($L) which they earn based on good academic performance, good behavior & social activities, as well as active parental participation in the student’s academic career.

On Tuesday, May 10, 2005, GIT Steering Committee Member Christina Ayiotis participated in the presentation of laptops at Manassas Park High School. In addition to HYF Chairman Celestino Beltran and HYF Board Members Jose Figueroa and Rick Tessada, she was on stage with Dr. Gail Pope (Assistant Superintendent, Manassas Park City Schools), Shernita Rochelle (George Mason University), and Jeanette Bellamy (IBM Client Manager, Education Industry, Virginia).

On Thursday, May 12, 2005, prior to the laptop presentation ceremony, GIT Steering Committee Members Denise Hyatt-Roberts and Christina Ayiotis attended a VIP Reception at the Sheraton National Hotel sponsored by IBM and RCN, Inc. Later that evening, at Gunston Elementary/ Middle School, GIT Steering Committee Member Denise Hyatt-Roberts was on stage with HYF Chairman Celestino Beltran, HYF Board Member Enrique Tessada, Dr. Jeffrey Gorrell (Dean, College of Education & Human Development, George Mason University), Ana Ondina Martinez (Director, ibm.com Latin America), Phil Passanante (RCN), Gil Waller (First Horizon Bank), Dr. Robert G. Smith (Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools) and Madge Gill (Gunston Middle School Principal). The Master of Ceremonies at both school presentation ceremonies was HYF President & CEO H. Raul Almeida. As a result of GIT press contacts provided to HYF, this event was covered by Channel 64 (Telemundo).

“To disadvantaged children, a laptop computer is a social equalizer that can help them compete on equal footing with more fortunate peers. By affording them the opportunity to earn this tool in a token economy setting, they learn the benefit of long-term investments in goals and how to use financial institutions and tools to their advantage—also a first-time opportunity for many of the families HYF serves.” - H. Raul Almeida, President & CEO, Hispanic Youth Foundation

About the Women in Technology Education Foundation
The Women in Technology Education Foundation (“WITEF”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable foundation that provides scholarships and grants to support education, mentoring, and training programs intended to encourage women and school-age girls to pursue technology-related interests and/or careers, as well as to increase their awareness, understanding and proficiency in the use of technology as a means of enhancing opportunities and performance in employment and education. WITEF conducts such programs with the goal of encouraging women and other minorities to become entrepreneurs in the field of founding and operating non-profit entities and programs benefiting society as a whole. WITEF receives operational support from Girls In Technology Outreach (“GIT”), a program of Women In Technology (“WIT”).

WIT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to offering women involved in all levels of the technology industry a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities. One of the organization's main goals is to create a forum where women in technology can be recognized and promoted as role models. WIT was founded in 1994 and has nearly 1,000 members. For more information, please visit WIT's web site, www.womenintechnology.org.

GIT empowers young girls by engaging them in technology and computer-related learning. One of GIT’s most important functions is to support the programs that are funded by WITEF. With its database of more than 100 WIT volunteers, GIT supports academic and community programs by providing mentors and speakers, assisting with program and curriculum development and collaborating with strategic partners who share its goal of involving girls in technology. GIT especially supports underserved and disadvantaged communities in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. For more information, please visit GIT's web site, www.girlsintechnology.org.

About Hispanic Youth Foundation
Hispanic Youth Foundation, www.ehyfnet.org, (HYF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation, began in 1997 with 21 Hispanic entrepreneurs uniting to devote their companies’ intellectual and financial resources to address the low academic performance rates and disproportionately high drop-out rates among Hispanic students. HYF funds educational programs and other initiatives for at-risk Hispanic children and youth. It works closely with public schools, colleges, universities and other nonprofit groups to provide financial support for programs that help Hispanic children succeed in life.

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