LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The AbilityFirst Long Beach Center, which provides programs and services for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, is getting a facelift, thanks to Verizon and its employees.
Up to 75 Verizon employees and family members, all of them volunteers, are scheduled to visit the AbilityFirst Long Beach Center on Saturday (Nov. 15) from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to renovate the center, located at 3770 E. Willow St. The volunteers will clean and paint the large rooms the center uses for its programs for children and adults.
At the same time, Verizon is providing the AbilityFirst Long Beach Center with a free state-of-the-art fiber-optic connection that will deliver crystal-clear FiOS TV and super-fast Internet service for use in the center's after-school enrichment and adult programs.
"Verizon and its employees have a long tradition of giving back to communities we serve," said Shawne Angelle, president of sales channel operations for Verizon's South/West area. "Verizon employees are continuing that tradition as they volunteer their time and skills to upgrade the facilities at AbilityFirst, which help children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities reach their full potential. By connecting the center to our future-proof fiber-optic FiOS network, we are ensuring that AbilityFirst's mission will be supported by the best technology for many years to come."
Lori Gangemi, president and CEO of AbilityFirst, said, "We appreciate this generous donation from Verizon and support from its employee volunteers. The children and adult participants, along with staff, at our Long Beach Center are excited about using the latest fiber-optic technology, enhancing their daily activities and helping them expand their possibilities. Partnerships with corporate citizens like Verizon form the backbone of many of AbilityFirst's programs and services."
FiOS TV is delivered over Verizon's all-fiber-optic network, which brings the power and capacity of fiber optics directly into people's homes and has industry-leading quality and reliability. Fiber delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. This network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps* (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice services.
* NOTE: Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.
Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 71 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.
AbilityFirst, established as the Crippled Children's Society in 1926, is one of Southern California's largest and oldest nonprofit social service organizations. AbilityFirst operates a network of 24 facilities for people of all ages with physical and developmental disabilities (including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and other neurological impairments). Operating in the greater Los Angeles area, AbilityFirst supports children and adults with disabilities with after school enrichment programs, job training, community employment, year round accessible camping, and affordable and accessible residential housing. AbilityFirst is accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and the American Camping Association. All facilities are licensed by the California Department of Social Services and the Department of Developmental Services. Additional information about AbilityFirst can be found at http://www.abilityfirst.org/.
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