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LULAC and Time Warner Cable to Provide Free Computers and High-Speed Internet Service for Youngstown’s Hispanic Community

April 26, 2013

Contact: Paloma Zuleta, 202-833-6130, PZuleta (at) LULAC . org

YOUNGSTOWN - As part of a multi-year effort to dramatically expand broadband access and literacy among the Hispanic community, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Time Warner Cable (TWC) are offering free, high-speed Internet access, computers, and other equipment for a new technology center on Shirley Road near Interstate 680 and Pemberton Park.

The latest “Empower Hispanic America Technology Center” will be housed at the Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana (OCCHA) building. TWC now fully funds seven LULAC centers around the country while providing free, high-speed broadband access to eight others.

"OCCHA is delighted to be the recipient of the ‘Empower Hispanic America Technology Center’ grant provided by Time Warner Cable and the League of United Latin American Citizens. The new computer equipment and the complimentary high-speed broadband access will allow us to provide clients with a state-of-the-art computer center and internet service,” said Susan Nieves, OCCHA Executive Director. “We are most grateful for the technology center that will help us provide Hispanics and others in our multi-cultural community with the best in computer technology for many years to come."

The centers provide job training and search assistance, English language courses, Citizenship classes, computer training and certifications, safe learning environments for students during after-school hours, and college application and financial aid seminars. The initiative increases access to technology, which is not accessible to many low income Hispanic families.

Representatives from the OCCHA board of directors, Time Warner Cable and LULAC will be in attendance for a dedication and open house event Friday, April 26.

“The technology center will provide services like educational programming, computer technology training, and job placement, improving dropout and unemployment rates which are so high in the community,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “We know that the partnership with Time Warner Cable will provide critical access to broadband and technology, mitigating the digital divide across the country.”

The Youngstown Center is one of four new centers being set up this year by TWC and LULAC. New computer equipment and two years of free, high-speed “Business Class” broadband service will be installed in LULAC community technology centers located in Lincoln, Neb. and Laredo and El Paso, Texas.

“Time Warner Cable is proud of this partnership to reach into the communities we serve and empower them with all that broadband has to offer,” said Don Kosec, Vice President of Business Class Services, Time Warner Cable. “We are excited to see what can be done at this great facility in Youngstown.”

The technology centers are part of LULAC National Educational Services Centers, Inc. and partner with non-profit organizations that serve low income Hispanic communities.

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About OCCHA
Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana, Inc. (OCCHA) was established in March of 1972 as a non-profit organization with its principal goals being to identify problem areas in the Spanish-speaking community and to establish programs which would address those problems. The agency is funded by various sources. The staff members will work together to provide the best possible service to the clients. OCCHA is open Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. It is also open evenings and weekends for special events. More information can be found at www.youngstownoccha.org

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org

About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting more than 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and managed and outsourced information technology solutions and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.twc.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmedia.com.