Shell Oil Company and Technology For All Target Neighborhoods in Need
Technology Center opens in Southeast Houston to provide
students and adults with computer skills

HOUSTON-March 2002- Shell Oil Company and Technology For All-Houston (TFA-Houston), a nonprofit organization that brings technology to underserved communities, today announced the opening of the Milby Outreach Center in Southeast Houston. The new community technology center is located in the Milby United Methodist Church in Houston's Pecan Park neighborhood. The Center will provide public access to Internet-connected computers and training opportunities for community residents in the hope of creating new jobs.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled March 19th, at 10:30 am at the Milby Outreach Center, 2220 Broadway. Guest speakers for the event include Houston Mayor Lee Brown, District I councilwoman Carol Alvarado and Steven L. Miller, chairman, president and CEO of Shell Oil Company. Members of the Houston Independent School District, the United Methodist Church, the Hamman Foundation and other TFA-Houston technology recipients and sponsors are expected to attend.

Forty-two percent of the residents in the Pecan Park area are living in poverty. Forty-four percent of people 25 years and older have no high school diploma. Less than 15 percent of the 3800 students in the area have a computer at home.

TFA-Houston, in partnership with the Shell Oil Company Foundation and the Shell Oil Company Digital Divide Initiative, is hoping to bring new opportunity to thousands of local residents. The Shell Foundation has donated $100 thousand dollars and more than 300 computers to TFA-Houston over the past year. Shell plans to donate 500 more computers over the next few months.

Shell CEO Steven Miller believes in giving back to the community. "The demand for a diverse workforce that is technologically literate continues to grow. By providing surplus computers, cash donations and volunteer services, Shell people are taking the extra steps to ensure these vital skills are developed effectively."

TFA-Houston works with The Shell Digital Divide Initiative to recycle quality corporate computers to schools and community based organizations, focusing on bringing sustainable change to Houston's low-income communities.

"In working with our existing program partners in the community, we recognized the tremendous need for job training, educational and other services," said Will Reed, president and CEO of TFA and TFA-Houston.

TFA-Houston is also developing a program that will provide job training and opportunities for young people to gain the knowledge and skills they need to function in today's "information society." While addressing the needs for job skills and opportunities, TFA-Houston will also offer educational and economic development activities that address issues of community safety and community development.

"The convenience of having the computer lab and program available to meet my schedule was a big plus," said Pam Robinson and a former participant in the pilot program at the M. D. Anderson Family YMCA / Technology For All computer lab. "The support staff that was ready and able to assist made the learning experience more applicable. This will be a huge service to this inner city community, especially for those who might not otherwise have access to computers or this type of training."

In partnership with the Houston Independent School District, TFA-Houston plans to have students in technology classes at Milby High School (MHS) repair and distribute computers from the Milby Outreach Center to community-based organizations in other communities. Students from MHS involved in the program will be able to "learn and earn" their own computer for use at home by participating in the program.

For more information on how your school or community organization can benefit from TFA-Houston's program, call Will Reed at 713-316-5761.

Media Contacts:
Will Reed, Technology For All 713-316-5761
Neddy Perez, Shell Digital Divide Initiative 713-241-4506
Carole Lieber/ Helen Bow, Shell Media Relations 713-241-4544
Liz Peck, Pierpont Communications 713-627-2223

About Technology For All
Technology For All (TFA) is a national nonprofit initiative focused on bringing technology to underserved communities. Using a network model to bridge the digital divide, TFA is creating educational, economic and personal opportunities for America's underserved. Corporate sponsors include SmartForce, FYI-Net, Shell, and BP. Program partners include HUD's Neighborhood Network Initiative, the America Connects Consortium, the LINCT Coalition, local TFA initiatives and individual CTCs across the US. Local TFA initiatives or supportive CTC relationships exist in fifteen US cities. TFA offices are located at 109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 425, Houston, Texas, 77024. Phone: 713.316.5764.
Web site: www.techforall.org

Technology For All and the Technology For All logo are trademarks of Technology For All. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.