Urban Technology Summer Newsletter 2008

Urban Tech Gala 2008
$500,000 Raised to Help NYC Youth

This year’s annual Urban Tech Gala, honoring the charitable work of Dr. Mehmet Oz, of Oprah Winfrey fame, and Stephen Byrd, the executive producer of the Broadway Play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” was a tremendous success!

More than 200 attendees gathered at the historically famous Capitale in the Bowery on June 4 to raise more than $500,000 at the luxury auction. These funds will help benefit economically disadvantaged students in more than 100 public schools throughout New York City. Celebrity attendees and illustrious guests included Michelle Paige Paterson, First Lady of New York, actress Lynn Whitfield, Maurice DuBois, CBS Anchor and Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and famed NBA stars Earl “the Pearl” Monroe and John Starks.

Wachovia / IRS / Urban Tech Partnership
$1.36 Million in Tax Refunds for Low Income Communities

Wachovia, the IRS and Urban Tech have partnered to create financial education programs in low income communities in Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco, California; and Bridgeport, Connecticut.

In the 2008 tax season, these programs have helped more than 1,100 families receive $1.36 million in tax refunds from the government and this year’s federal stimulus program. The overall value of the services equaled $2.25 million including the tax refunds, free personal tax preparation counseling, e-filing services, access to IRS-trained tax advisors and “Tax Wise” the free tax preparation software provided by the IRS. The VITA Program allows individuals from the most vulnerable low income communities access to their tax refunds in as few as 10 days.

“Wachovia is proud to partner with the IRS and Urban Tech to create a program that helps low income communities access their tax refunds and that can be replicated and expanded to other locations throughout the country,” says Missy Tysinger, Community Reinvestment Act Service Test Manager for Wachovia. “In addition, the financial literacy programs will help residents of low income communities make smart decisions on how to spend or invest their money.”

“Urban Tech has been involved with disadvantaged communities for over 10 years,” says Pat Bransford, Founder and President of Urban Tech. “We are so excited to partner with Wachovia and the IRS to educate these communities about financial literacy and provide them with invaluable tax assistance.”

Adopt-a-School

The Urban Tech Adopt-a-School program allows individuals and corporations to privately sponsor public schools across with country with funds to change the lives of underprivileged students.

At the 2008 Urban Tech Gala, more than 20 caring individuals donated generously, raising more than $61,000 for the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) program. Many thanks to this year’s generous donors including Stephen Byrd, Tracey Benford, Robert Dansby, Scott Swid, James Higgins, Jeffrey Gibbons and Kathy Zukerman.

It’s never too late to make a donation!
Click here to adopt-a-school and make a difference:

Get Healthy Harlem

In March 2008, Michelle Paige-Paterson launched the ‘Healthy Steps to Albany’ Contest to raise awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic in Harlem. As part of the Get Healthy Harlem program, over 400 kids from Harlem public middle schools competed against each other to collectively walk the number of steps from New York City to Albany.

The winning classes enjoyed a field trip to Hawthorne Valley Farm, an organic/ biodynamic farm in Harlemville, New York, to learn about healthy food production and a Mets game at Shea Stadium.

By making exercise “cool” for kids, “no sweat” for teachers, and inexpensive to carry out, we are aiming to fuse the spirit of imagination with the feeling of power to challenge and inspire our Harlem children to embrace new ways
to be healthy.

This year’s winners included:
-6th Grade: Frederick Douglass Academy I; Class 603
-7th Grade: Academy of Collaborative Education; Class 703
-8th Grade: Powell Middle School for Law & Social Justice; Class 877

Press

Check out the latest news on Urban Tech and see what the media is buzzing about its many accomplishments!

The Journal
Panache
Connecticut Post
New York Amsterdam News
Broadway World

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