NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Sara Pomeroy 804-803-1RJI sara@rvaji.com

RJI Receives $10,000 Contribution from AT&T for Prevention Education

RICHMOND, Va. (January 10, 2014) The Richmond Justice Initiative (RJI) received a $10,000 contribution from AT&T to support its ongoing prevention education programs. The announcement was made on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day during RJIs first annual Virginia Abolition Conference. According to Sara Pomeroy, founder and executive director of RJI, the latest contribution from AT&T will allow the Prevention Project curriculum to continue to grow and expand not only in and around Virginia, but across the country. The Prevention Project team has advocates in over 60 cities who are working with local officials in getting the curriculum in their schools. This contribution will also allow the program to be offered in at-risk schools. We at Richmond Justice Initiative are blown away and so encouraged by the continued passion and generosity of AT&T. This contribution is a clear indication that this is a company that believes in giving back to their communities where they serve. This contribution allows us to continue to expand the program to reach more students who will never have to experience the tragedy of being enslaved, because they have been given the opportunity to be educated about this issue of human trafficking. Jessica Sutton, Prevention Project manager, added: "As students' eyes open as they go through the Prevention Project curriculum, they realize the lures and tactics that traffickers use to recruit their generation, and they are moved to action and want to make a difference so that neither they, their peers, or siblings will be caught in a trafficking situation. It's inspiring to see students proactively taking a stand against this issue and wanting to make a difference." Vince Apruzzese, regional vice president for AT&T in Virginia, said AT&Ts recent co ntribution helps RJI continue its education and outreach efforts to prevent human trafficking. RJI does an extraordinary job of raising awareness about and preventing -- human trafficking in Virginia, said Apruzzese. Our support will help them continue this vitally important work. Apruzzese added that a $25,000 contribution from AT&T in 2012 helped RJI launch its youth prevention and awareness project. RJI is a non-profit, faith based organization whose mission is to educate, equip and mobilize communities with the tools needed to be a force in the global movement to end human trafficking. For more information on RJI, please visit www.rvaji.com. ###