MICROSOFT PARTNERS WITH FIRST BAPTIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO DECREASE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE GAP BY TAPPING SENIORS CITIZENS INTO TECHNOLOGY

Seniors Get Connected with Computers Donated by Microsoft during Technology Month

April 2, 2001 - Berkeley Heights, NJ: The Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft") partnered with the First Baptist Community Development Corporation ("FBCDC") to decrease the digital divide gap by tapping senior citizens into technology. Microsoft helped to kick off Technology Month on April 1, 2001 at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens by donating two new computer systems to two senior citizens members. Sharon Tucker-Brown, Executive Director, FBCDC, stated that, "Through our computer programs, we strive to make certain that everyone has access to today's technology. Microsoft has been a very strong supporter of our efforts to train our youth, and now our senior citizens, how to become computer literate and internet savvy."

First Baptist Community Development Corporation is planning a month-long focus on technology at Sunday's services during the month of April, highlighting how the seniors, youth, and all members of the congregation are using technology to enhance their lives and to better serve their communities. Joseph Pagano, General Manager, Microsoft New Jersey/Upstate New York District, attended the April 1st church service to present new computers to two outstanding seniors in the community who have used technology to enhance their lives and the lives of those in their community. He stated that, "Microsoft is really proud to be a part of the Renaissance Youth Center and technology has never been a more critical enabler of success for young people. Over the past two years, Microsoft's district offices have made grants available to organizations in Minnesota, Maine, Boston and New Jersey to reach out to seniors in their communities to learn how to access the internet, learn computer skills, and assist their grandchildren with homework ."

Microsoft first teamed up with FBCDC in 2000 to provide a grant to support their efforts to provide access to technology to the Renaissance 2000 community by expanding the technology facilities and implementing formal, sustainable training programs for the first time. Microsoft's goal was to improve upon the Center's reach and impact by:
•Upgrading and expanding the PCs and software available in their facilities to enable FBCDC to support more members of the community.
•Providing the infrastructure to enable them to provide structured computer training programs for the first time to the Renaissance 2000 community members.
•Providing the infrastructure and program to enable members to participate in a distance learning exchange program with students from another organization in New Jersey.
• Providing support for pre-school children for the first time by enabling them to have access to the center and training.

The upgraded center has been operational since Spring 2000 and is currently offering a range of computer programs to the Renaissance community.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft's giving practices, please visit their website at http://www.microsoft.com/giving. If you are interested in interviewing the senior citizens who received the donated computers, please contact Stephanie Clark at 732.951.1810 or creativity@ccc-3.net.