COSTA MESA, Calif., June 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The OC Tech Collective joins the Findlay, Bellah, Bernard, O'Brian, Oganesyan, and Razo families as they celebrate in the completion of six new Habitat for Humanity homes in Costa Mesa, CA. This local consortium of leading not-for-profit technology associations supporting broader access to technology across all social and economic groups, has generously donated six new home computer workstations to be fully installed in each of the homes. Each PC workstation will be complete with Internet access, software, printer, desk, and chair.
The staff and volunteers of Habitat for Humanity Orange County (HfHOC) will join the families and sponsors in the dedication to celebrate the completion on Thursday, June 10, 2004 at 11:30 a.m. Pacific at the site of the homes, which is located at 1925 Pomona Street in Costa Mesa, CA.
The designated homes are part of HfHOC's Technology Initiative, an effort to provide home computers as information appliances to low-income residents offering increased access to basic technology instruction, technology-based work experience, online employment search services, and skills development. The OC Tech Collective began its involvement with HfHOC's Technology Initiative two years ago in December by hosting the region's first Holiday Event and Annual Roundup of Technologists (H.E.A.R.T.), a fundraiser to support the implementation of technology to bridge the digital divide to benefit the region's underserved communities. The 2002 and 2003 H.E.A.R.T. events raised over $17,000 to be used for the purpose of purchasing complete home computer workstations, Internet access, on-site technical support, and training for Habitat families.
"We are excited to partner with the OC Tech Collective to enable us to provide state-of-the-art computer technology in the H.E.A.R.T. Habitat for Humanity Homes to those who would not otherwise receive it," said Pete Major, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. "Working together with the OC Tech Collective and each of the families, provides each person with numerous opportunities, and helps achieve amazing results and we look forward to future opportunities with the group."
"Orange County is one of the first technology regions in the country to support Habitat's Technology Initiative and our Collective is pleased to lead this effort through our annual H.E.A.R.T. holiday fundraising events," said Cynthia Cotteta, chair of the OC Technology Collective and president of the Association for Women in Technology. "It is critical to recognize the importance of technology in our everyday lives to the extent that families in programs such as Habitat's can benefit from this partnership. The generous contributions from H.EA.R.T.'s sponsors, member organizations and volunteers are coming together to benefit our local community."
Sponsors of H.EA.R.T. 2003 included Compuware Corporation, Jackson, DeMarco & Peckenpaugh, PCs-in-Time, Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, Ballantyne, Incorporated, File Net Corporation, Finance America, ileads.Com, International Software Systems, Liberty IMS, MSX International, Incorporated, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Verizon Wireless, Media by Design, Newport Beach Bacchus Society, Orange County Business Journal, Bock Communications, Advanced-Media, Media Communications Association International, VIOSS, Earth Transmission, VitalStream, D-Link, SmithMicro Software, and Avalon Media.
About Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (HfHOC) uses non-government donations of funding, materials, professional services and volunteer labor to build simple, decent homes which are sold to qualified very low-income families for a one percent down payment and a zero-interest mortgage. Habitat families contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the program by building their own home, helping another Habitat family build it's home, or working in some other area of the Habitat organization. Habitat for Humanity has built 99 homes in Orange County since 1988. HFHOC has completed 101 homes to date and will dedicate 102 through 107.
About Orange County Technology Collective
The Orange County Technology Collective is a council of leading, regional not-for-profit technology associations leveraging the power of its members to spearhead charitable programs that accelerate broader access to technology across all social and economic groups. Members include the American Electronics Association (AeA), Technology and Business Connection Forum (TBCF), Association for Women in Technology (AWT), Digital Coast Roundtable (DCR), Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Society for Internet Advancement (SIA-OC), Software Council of Southern California (SCSC), Southern California Venture Network (SCVN) and Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN). For more information about the OC Tech Collective and H.E.A.R.T. or to get involved, contact Cynthia Cotteta at 949-496-1200 or by email at Cynthia@awtsocal.org. Please visit www.heartparty.com.