Technology For All and BP America Bridge Digital Divide for Houston's Underserved
22 Houston Organizations Will Receive Computers on April 6

Houston, Texas - (April 4, 2001) - BP America and Technology For All (TFA) (www.techforall.org) have joined forces to provide several thousand computers to America's underserved through TFA-affiliated community technology centers (CTCs) across the United States.

On Saturday, April 6, volunteers from TFA and BP America will distribute and install more than 300 computers at 22 community-based organizations to create computer labs serving Houston's underserved communities. Representatives from community organizations receiving computers will gather at TFA's Milby Outreach Center (2220 Broadway) near Milby High School in Houston's East End. Computers and other equipment will then be transported to sites across the city. Students from HISD's A+ and Cisco Networking Classes will join BP employees and community volunteers to help install the computers.

Since 1998 TFA-Houston has worked with area organizations to help plan, develop and create 113 community technology centers in service to Houston's underserved communities. The CTCs, serving an estimated 15,000 persons per week, are located in YMCAs, schools, community centers, churches, and social service agencies. These centers typically serve low-income persons with limited education, who with BP America and TFA support will have, greater educational, economic and personal opportunities.

"This relationship with BP America will help TFA expand and enhance its collaborative relationships across the country with community technology centers in underserved communities", said Will Reed, President and CEO of Technology For All and Technology For All-Houston. "Children, youth and their families will now have opportunities that many take for granted."

"This initiative is part of BP's ongoing commitment to Houston," said Iris Cross, Director, Community Affairs for BP America in Houston. "Our partnership with TFA provides us an opportunity to proactively address the digital divide in Houston and in other communities across the country. We are proud to join TFA in taking this step in addressing the needs here."

About BP
BP is an international company involved in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing, supply and transportation of hydrocarbons, manufacturing and marketing of petrochemicals, and solar and gas-fired power generation. BP has more than 4,000 employees at its Houston offices. Web Site: www.bp.com

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.