AirTouch Donates $12,000 to Support Los Angeles Area Job Preparedness Programs; Dress-4-Success and Women's Care Cottage Receive $6,000 Grants From AirTouch Communications Foundation.

News Editors

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000

The AirTouch Communications Foundation today announced two donations to Los Angeles-area organizations that help people develop job skills and obtain appropriate work-related wardrobes.

Dress-4-Success received a $6,000 grant to support the organization's Work Steps program at Belmont High School, and Women's Care Cottage received a $6,000 grant to support its ongoing efforts to help homeless women transition into housed, self-supporting lives.

"Learning appropriate job skills is perhaps the best way for disadvantaged individuals to step out of their current situation and become more independent and productive members of society," said Nancy Hobbs, executive vice president and general manager, AirTouch Cellular, California. "Dress-4-Success and Women's Care Cottage make a tremendous impact in Los Angeles, and we're proud to sponsor their efforts."

AirTouch's grant will help Dress-4-Success reach 180 students attending Belmont High School's Banking and Finance Academy in central Los Angeles. The Dress-4-Success Work Steps program will give participating students training to help them prepare to take on real-world job responsibilities.

Work Steps helps students understand the importance of proper attire in a work environment and provides each student with two complete outfits for job interviewing, accessories, a makeover and cosmetics consultation. In addition, Dress-4-Success offers advice on preparing resumes, interviewing techniques and interpersonal skills.

"When I was homeless, I vowed to find a way to help others like myself build their self-esteem and confidence in constructive ways that would help them find jobs, and I'm proud that Dress-4-Success can make a difference in so many lives," said Janet Lavender, founder, Dress-4-Success, Inc.

"We are grateful to the AirTouch Communications Foundation for their support, and we look forward to helping the Belmont High School students develop their abilities and find employment."

Thanks to AirTouch's grant, Women's Care Cottage will be able to increase its operating hours at its Resource Center in North Hollywood and offer service during evenings and weekends, when most homeless organizations are closed. In addition to offering job training, the non-profit Women's Care Cottage provides food, shelter, transitional housing, access to health care and other essential services to homeless women and children.

"At Women's Care Cottage, we understand the trauma and terror that homeless women face, and we strive to offer valuable solutions to get these women off the streets and into a nurturing environment that stresses job skills and planning for the future," said Casey Horan, executive director, Women's Care Cottage. "By expanding our hours of operations, we can help even more people succeed in their communities and workplaces."

AirTouch Cellular is committed to supporting local communities through volunteerism, event sponsorships, and identifying worthy programs and organizations for grant consideration by the AirTouch Communications Foundation. Established in 1994 by AirTouch Communications, Inc., the AirTouch Communications Foundation provides support to non-profit organizations that promote safe communities and offer transitional assistance.