Verizon Stories: Mario Acosta-Velez & The Latino Student Fund

Feeling isolated in the midst of the pandemic, graduating senior Stephanie Duque turned to the Latino Student Fund (LSF) for out of school enrichment, professional opportunities, and assistance through the college application process.

LSF is a Washington, DC based organization that is committed to providing year-round, out-of-school-time programs for low-income, at-risk students and their families with the goal of increasing levels of educational attainment in the community.

Stephanie remarked “Living through a very isolating pandemic, this program was able to help me feel connected to my peers and provided opportunities we don’t always have as students of color. As a graduating senior I’m grateful to have had the LSF guide me with the next steps for my education with the support of Verizon.”

Verizon is proud to partner with LSF in pursuit of more robust educational opportunities for students. As LSF President and CEO Maria Fernanda Borja remarked, “the LSF has always known that moving a community forward shouldn’t just be on the shoulders of our future generation of leaders, but should be accomplished when children and adults can come together to improve their environment.” 

LEADForward Community Partnership Chat: Hopeworks

Join Verizon’s Jennifer Young as she chats with Dan Rhoton, Executive Director of Hopeworks Camden. Hopeworks is a leading community-based organization with a proven track record of fostering long term professional success for the residents and diverse communities it serves. Jennifer and Dan spoke about how the organization leverages skill development and real world job experience to foster a brighter future for program participants. Watch the video to learn more!

5G Connecting Communities Series: Women Leading the Way in Tech

On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the women of Verizon’s SGA East Region as kicked off the 5G Connecting Communities Series through conversations with women who are leading the way in tech. Leaders from New York, Washington D.C., and Virginia discussed economic development, STEM education, and digital divide investments happening up and down the coast. The event spotlighted how 5G drives local communities, including the nonprofit partners, businesses, and government leaders from across the region who are leveraging technology to advance their work.

Speakers included:

Candice Austin, Director, State Government & Local Affairs, Verizon; Jessica Chait, Manager, State & Local Government Affairs, Verizon; Danielle Craddock, Founder/Director, Girls Inspired and Ready to Lead, Inc.; Kathleen Grillo, SVP, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Verizon; Kassandra Perez-Desir, Regional Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Verizon; Kelly Schulz, Former Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce & Department of Labor; and Michelle Watson, Tech Program Supervisor, Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Be a community partner in the 4th industrial revolution.

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US Tech Future is a Verizon-led community-focused initiative working to engage the local community in a discussion about technology and how it can improve the lives of local residents for their benefit and the benefit of the community as a whole.

Our mission is to engage with citizens and community stakeholders in USA to provide information on how technology can work to have a dramatic impact on the way we work and live in our communities.

@TheUSTechFuture