Verizon Communications Inc. : Verizon Donates Newark Office Space for Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park

Verizon Donates Newark Office Space for Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park

NEWARK, N.J. - January 30, 2012 -

More than 3,000 New Jersey middle and high school students will learn finance and budgeting fundamentals at the Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park, which will open Feb. 1 at Verizon's office building at 540 Broad St., in space donated by Verizon.

Students will attend four weeks of in-class, teacher-led instruction in finance and money management, culminating in a reality-based simulation where they put their newly learned financial skills to the test.  This is the second year that Verizon has donated its facilities for the program, which runs through April 5.

"Through JA Finance Park, young students have a great opportunity to learn valuable life lessons about effectively managing their finances that will serve them well throughout their lives," said Bill Foshay, president of Verizon's Mid-Atlantic region and member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement of New Jersey.  "At Verizon, we believe strongly in the importance of preparing our youth for today's and tomorrow's global economy, and we are proud to once again donate the space that gives students unique, hands-on experiences in financial management."

Students in the program will participate in a reality-based simulation in which they have jobs, families and financial challenges they must successfully manage.  Students will create and manage household budgets, making decisions about how to spend, invest, save or cut back.

"We thank Verizon for once again donating space for the JA Finance Park program," said Catherine Milone, president, Junior Achievement of New Jersey.  "This program helps students understand what it is like to manage their own personal budgets in situations they can relate to and put into practice in the real world."

Junior Achievement of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that connects volunteers with students in grades K-12.  Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA provides in-school and after-school programs for students throughout the Garden State.  JA offers work-readiness programs that focus on seven key content areas:  business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy and career development.

A virtual version of the program, available for schools in partnership with Junior Achievement, is available online at http://financepark.ja.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 109 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 194,000.www.verizon.com.

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