FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2001

etDay Receives Americorps National Grant Hires New Director for NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge Program

In each of these communities, the NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program will work to:

• Increase the availability and access to technology by providing support to teachers as they integrate technology into classroom activities and by participating in after-school computer programs with students and community members;
• Provide professional development opportunities for educators to assist with basic computer proficiency and build computer skills; and,
• Support and strengthen communities by working with students and other community organizations to invest in their economic development.

Models and lessons learned from the NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program will be shared on www.NetDayCompass.org, a free, comprehensive, online directory providing K-12 school leaders worldwide with an organized library of quality resources to guide effective decision-making for education technology and to develop leadership capacity.

Joining the NetDay team as National Director for the NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge is Rachel Brownlie. A seasoned community leader, Brownlie has nearly seven (7) years of experience involvement with AmeriCorps and National Service. Most recently, she conducted outreach and participated in recruitment efforts for the Corporation for National Service. Brownlie has successfully managed several ongoing projects for an AmeriCorps program in the greater Dallas community where as a Program Officer, she lead a tutoring program for elementary students and helped develop an after-school reading and cultural arts program for children. Brownlie has also served as an AmeriCorps Leader where she chaired the North East Texas Community Service Network. As the Director of the NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program, Brownlie will lead of team of 3 Project Coordinators who will manage a group of AmeriCorps members within each of these communities to help achieve the program's overall goals and objectives.

AmeriCorps (www.americorps.org) engages more than 50,000 men and women each year in results-driven service to meet community needs. More than 200,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps since it was created in 1994. In exchange for a year of service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance and a $4,725 education award to help pay for college or training.

NetDay (www.netday.org), a national education technology nonprofit, is guided by a mission to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. The NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge Program (NAB) is part of NetDay's Community Initiatives, which strive to provide students and teachers in under-served communities with the resources, guidance and knowledge needed to impact educational outcomes through the effective use of educational technology. The NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program is a strategic partnership between NetDay and National Service programs to provide selected Empowerment Zone communities with facilitated access to technology resources.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
949.609.4660
info@netday.org