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HP and Magic Johnson Foundation Team Up to Address Digital Divide in Jacksonville, Florida
HP and Magic Johnson Foundation Team Up to Address Digital
Divide in Jacksonville, Florida
Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center featuring HP technology opens
in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
, March 31, 2005 -- HP and the Magic Johnson
Foundation bring their national community technology initiative
aimed at bridging the digital divide to Jacksonville today with the
opening of the 19th Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center at the Hilltop
Village housing complex.
The Inventor Center in Jacksonville joins centers in 14 other
cities around the country to offer training, skills development and
online access for youth and adult residents in underserved
communities.
Since the launch of the program, centers have opened in Atlanta,
Bladensburg, Md., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Lansing,
Mich.
, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Oakland, Calif.,
Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C. HP's investment in the
centers totals $1.
4 million over three years.
"In today's world, a lack of knowledge and understanding of
technology puts an individual at a distinct disadvantage," said
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation.
"Many of us use technology daily in our homes, our schools and our
businesses. Yet, for residents in underserved communities, access
to technology is not a given.
This partnership with HP enables
residents of the community to have access and training
opportunities that are not otherwise available."
Hilltop Village was selected as the location for the Inventor
Center because of its commitment to bringing together non-profit,
private sector and community groups to collaborate for the benefit
of the Jacksonville area.
The Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center will provide residents in
the Hilltop Village housing complex with access to state-of-the-art
technology and training opportunities using a powerful lineup of HP
commercial and consumer products ranging from PCs to the latest in
digital imaging technology.
"The new Inventor Center will offer residents access to needed
resources that will allow them to develop computer skills necessary
in a technologically driven world," said Jacksonville Mayor John
Peyton.
"We thank HP, the Magic Johnson Foundation and the other
organizations that collaborated to bring the Inventor Center to the
community of Jacksonville."
The technology deployed in the Inventor Center, valued at more
than $80,000, includes HP servers, notebook and desktop PCs, flat
panel monitors, digital cameras, photo printers, and all-in-one
fax, scanner and printer units.
"HP strives to provide underserved communities with equal access
to social and economic opportunities through technology," said
Quinton English, director of sales in Florida at HP. "HP's
partnership with the Magic Johnson Foundation enables us to expand
our reach to ensure that technology-excluded residents in
communities such as Jacksonville are given a chance to be
successful in today's digital economy.
"
The Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center at Hilltop Village will
provide an after-school program for youth ages six to 18, with
activities including tutoring and homework help, indoor and outdoor
recreation, and access to the new computer technology.
Additionally, the Inventor Center will provide adults with job
development services and access to the technology.
"The opening of the Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center at Hilltop
Village will add a new dimension to the lives of our residents,
providing a benefit available at very few other housing
developments in the country," said Judy Siegel, president of Landex
Corporation, owner and operator of Hilltop Village. "For some, the
opening of this center will put them in touch with one of the most
rewarding opportunities of their lives.
"
Other sponsors supporting the Magic Johnson/HP Inventor Center
include ADT, DHL, Eastwind Consulting Group and Freddie Mac.
About Hilltop Village
Hilltop Village, owned and operated by Landex Management, is a
low- to moderate-income housing complex that offers a variety of
programs to its residents. Youth and adult services include
mentoring and leadership development for at risk youth, academic
assistance to children ages 5-18 and preparation for homeownership.
In addition to having an annually funded Resident Services
Initiative, Hilltop Village has received numerous local, state and
federal grant awards which have enabled quality drug
prevention/intervention and security measures to be implemented at
the facility.
About the Magic Johnson Foundation
The Magic Johnson Foundation is a non-profit organization that
focuses on improving and addressing the health, educational and
social needs of those residing in the inner city. In addition, the
Foundation has made a strong commitment to raise awareness about
several health and social concerns that threaten underserved
communities. Founded in 1991 by basketball legend Earvin "Magic"
Johnson, the Foundation has raised more than $20 million for
charity.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses
and institutions globally.
The company's offerings span IT
infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and
imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31,
2005, HP revenue totaled $81.8 billion.
More information about HP
(NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at .hp.com
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