FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2003

Netday Participates In Voices For Americorps
Julie Evans, CEO, and Linda Roberts, Board of Directors Member,
speak on Capitol Hill during 100 hours of around the clock national service testimony

Washington, DC— September 3, 2003. - - NetDay united with over 500 national and community leaders in voicing support for AmeriCorps, illustrating the devastating effects of funding cuts and affirming the need for $100 million in emergency funds to keep AmeriCorps programs operating. Julie Evans, NetDay CEO, and Linda Roberts, Member of the Board of Directors, spoke during a 100-hour national town meeting offering around the clock testimony on Capitol Hill about the importance and impact of national service.

“ I am here today to give voice to the over 26,000 students in communities served by NetDay’s AmeriCorps Bridge Program. In some of our nation’s most economically challenged communities – Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Oakland, and Santa Ana, CA, and Detroit, MI --NetDay has helped bridge the digital divide by training teachers in the use of technology and providing students with the technology skills necessary for success in the 21st century.” Julie Evans noted. “On behalf of those students, teachers and communities, I urge Congress to provide the $100 million necessary to keep the programs open. Closing these programs and abandoning the students now is a cruel punishment to the communities NetDay serves.”

“ For the past decade, AmeriCorps volunteers have helped schools and communities, most at risk, overcome the digital divide. While serving as the Director of the Office of Education Technology at the US Department of Education, I saw first hand the importance of AmeriCorps in serving students in challenged schools and communities and making a difference in their lives, ”added Linda Roberts, a member of the NetDay Board of Directors.

Voices for AmeriCorps will highlight the need for Congress and the President to approve the $100 million in emergency appropriations for AmeriCorps that a bi-partisan majority of the United States Senate passed in July. Without these funds AmeriCorps faces devastating cut that will eliminate hundreds of AmeriCorps programs. Voices for AmeriCorps will also highlight the importance for Congress to approve the President’s FY04 budget request to grow AmeriCorps to 75,000 members strong.

More than 50 AmeriCorps affiliated groups organized "Voices for AmeriCorps: 100 hours of testimony.” NetDay served on the organizing committee for the event held in several government office buildings from Tuesday, September 2 to Saturday, September 6 and scheduled to coincide with Congress’ return from recess. For more information on Voices for AmeriCorps, visit www.saveamericorps.org

ABOUT NETDAY
NetDay's mission is to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. NetDay (www.NetDay.org), a national non-profit organization known for its successful school wiring programs, today manages community and web-based programs that promote enhanced student achievement through the effective use of technology.

ABOUT NETDAY AMERICORPS BRIDGE
NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program recruits AmeriCorps volunteers to dedicate a year of service to bridge the digital divide by helping with technology integration projects within schools and building local capacity for school community engagement around technology.
Operating in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, Oakland and Santa Ana, California and Detroit, Michigan, the impact of the NetDay AmeriCorps Bridge program over the past three years has been significant:

• 6,196 computers installed and/or refurbished for student use
• 2,239 teachers were trained /coached on software and the use of the Internet
• 26,779 students were trained on technology and 21st century learning skills
• 60 meaningful community partnerships developed
• 150 adult and 375 youth volunteers recruited and trained to support technology
• Over 120,000 hours of volunteer service recorded for the schools.

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
949.609.4660
info@netday.org