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01/23/2007 Archived Entry: "Oscar DLH Foudation Receives $1MM Donation from Microsoft!"
Oscar DLH Foudation Receives $1MM Donation from Microsoft!
LA-based Oscar de la Hoya & Microsoft Learning Center is First Fully Vista Powered Community Technology Lab in the World
LOS ANGELES, January 22, 2006 – In an effort to increase technology access to families and youth throughout East Los Angeles, Microsoft today announced a grant worth more than $1 million in software to the Oscar de la Hoya & Microsoft Learning Center. Through this grant, the foundation will receive a makeover to include new Windows Vista-equipped personal computers.
"We are grateful to Microsoft for this extremely generous donation," Oscar de la Hoya said. "Windows Vista will make a huge impact on everything from after-school homework assistance throughout the community to giving parents an opportunity to gain new skills for today's burgeoning digital workforce."
The Oscar de la Hoya Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the development of children, families and communities in Los Angeles. The Learning Center will provide thousands of children a safe and positive educational and training environment, emphasizing self-esteem and success through hard work, dedication, good citizenship and school achievement.
"At Microsoft, we feel a strong sense of responsibility toward our local community," said Chris Weber, Microsoft Vice President, West Region Enterprise & partner Group. "Microsoft has long believed that inside each and every person there is great potential. When you partner that potential with great technology extraordinary things can happen."
According to Weber, this grant builds on more than $85 million in cash and software that Microsoft has donated to community organizations, educational institutions and human service agencies in California since 2003. "I believe these are some of the most important investments Microsoft makes. The work that The Oscar de la Hoya Foundation does is critical to closing the gap in technology education and access – Microsoft is delighted to be able to support such an important effort."
The grant will help create the first Windows Vista-equipped youth and community learning center in the country and will offer youths and families in East Los Angeles access to computers with the most updated software applications available. Currently, less than 7 percent of the households in East Los Angeles have access to technology: computers and computer software. Community members will have access to the learning center to use, explore and learn new software.
"The Oscar de la Hoya & Microsoft Learning Center is a tremendous asset to the entire Los Angeles community," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Microsoft's donation will give youth and families in the region access to technology that can further education, enhance communication and improve their overall quality of life."
The Learning Center will be enhanced with new computers loaded with the Windows Vista operating system, which includes a special feature that allows users to easily switch between English and Spanish language controls – depending on the user's preference – within the same computer. On Jan. 22 at 10 a.m., Microsoft will host a ceremony and computer lab tour at the Oscar de la Hoya & Microsoft Learning Center to present the Foundation with the grant. For those interested in attending, the center is located at 1114 South Lorena Street in East Los Angeles, on the site of the former Resurrection Gym which de la Hoya purchased in 1996 and completely renovated.
Weber and de la Hoya will both be on hand for interviews. Microsoft Latino technology experts will be on site to educate people on how to use Windows Vista's new bilingual features and safety controls during the event. The Learning Center will be open to the community starting Jan. 27.
About the Oscar de la Hoya Foundation
The Oscar de la Hoya Foundation was started in 1995 to provide opportunities for the youth of East Los Angeles , the community where Oscar was born and raised. Growing from a vision was the Oscar de la Hoya Youth Center, a place for kids to go after school where they could focus their minds and achieve positive goals. Located at the site of the former Resurrection Gym, where Oscar trained for his Olympic Gold Medal, the center is opened to all children of the community. Over the years the scope of Foundation activities and support programs has grown significantly. The Foundation has expanded to include a state of the art cancer center, high school, and a children's hospital, all for the benefit of underprivileged families.
About Microsoft
Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global community-based learning program focused on extending IT-skills and economic opportunities to enable young people and adults to realize their potential. Through cash grants, software donations, technology solutions, and specialized curriculum, Unlimited Potential supports projects across the U.S. and around the world, creating opportunities that can transform communities and help bring the benefits of technology to 250 million underserved people worldwide by 2010.
http://www.microsoft.com/unlimitedpotential
