For more information, contact: Elizabeth Vincent Director of Development & Marketing Volunteers of America 570-825-5261 ext.6 lvincent@voapa.

org Daniel Langan AT&T Public Affairs 717-571-1743 dan.langan@att.com AT&T CONTRIBUTES $15,000 TO VOLUNTEERS OF AMERIC AS MAGNOLIA PROJECT Program gives Luzerne County girls tools for success in school WILKES-BARRE, PA (DECEMBER 12, 2013) Volunteers of America started the Magnolia Project just over one year ago, in one high school in Wilkes-Barre. The goal of the program is to mentor young girls, grades 9-12, during pivotal adolescent years as they navigate the academic and social intricacies of their lives. Last May, 35 young women graduated from the program. Today, Volunteers of America is working with hundreds of Luzerne County high school girls in eight schools across the county. The program will be strengthened and expanded thanks to a $15,000 contribution from AT&T, according to Liz Vincent, Director of Development and Marketing for Volunteers of America. Magnolia Project provides weekly on-on-one mentoring sessions, a speakers series featuring strong community women, skill-building sessions, field trips and community service opportunities. Wideranging discussions include ways to succeed in school, avoiding high-risk behaviors, combatting low self-esteem and bullying, communicating effectively, choosing alternatives to gang involvement, building healthy relationships, making right decisions and handling peer pressure. The adolescent years are indeed pivotal for young people, especially young girls, said. Joseph Divis, executive director, AT&T. The Magnolia Project helps young women in Luzerne County stay on track for graduation and prepare for life after high school. Were supporting this program to help these young women chart a path for their future success. Young women today need a strong support system as well as a sense of self, in order make right choices and command respect for themselves, before they can begin to dream big dreams. Magnolia Project imbues girls with the tools to create their own support network while teaching them the importance of self-respect and inner strength as they plan for a future many never thought possible, said Ms. Vincent.

The contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, one of the largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers. Last year, AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion to the program, bringing the total commitment to $350 million since the program was launched in 2008. Volunteers of America presently operate 28 separate programs throughout the state having served over 28,000 people last year. These include persons coping with disabilities; at-risk children and youth; individuals and families in emergency situations; young adults and women suffering homelessness, those in need of employment; elderly individuals and couples on fixed incomes; individuals coping with severe and chronic mental illness; families with limited incomes; infants, children, and adolescents that have been abused, neglected, and/or exploited; as well as pregnant teens and teenage mothers. Learn more about the Magnolia Project by visiting http://www.voapa.org/Services/ChildrenYouth--Families-Programs/The-Magnolia-Project. AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. Learn more about AT&T Aspire by visiting www.att.com/aspire. ###