HACIENDA TOWNHOMES OF SAN DIEGO HONORS ITS HACIENDA HEROES CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF ITS POWERUP TECH CENTER

SPONSORED BY WAITT FAMILY FOUNDATION AND COX COMMUNICATIONS

San Diego, CA- September 22, 2001 - Hacienda Townhomes honored its Hacienda Heroes, community neighbors who have made a difference in Hacienda residents' lives, and officially opened its Waitt Family Foundation PowerUP tech center at a special celebration today.

"It is not only in crisis, but every day, that people join together to support, improve and enrich their communities," said Robert Ito, C.E.O. of Hacienda Townhomes. "In light of recent events we felt it appropriate to take time to recognize our community heroes, our Hacienda Heroes, those that tirelessly work to better our neighborhood. This tremendous community outreach is also demonstrated today by the grand opening of our Waitt Family Foundation PowerUP tech center. Thanks to our sponsors including the Waitt Family Foundation, Cox Communications, and Alpha Projects we are pleased to be able to enhance the services available to our community," Mr. Ito added.

The Hacienda Heroes recognized today include:
Mr. Mike Vargas, a local U.S. Postal Worker who not only delivers the mail to Hacienda Townhomes but also delivers the extras often needed by the children and families of Hacienda. Through the overwhelming generosity displayed by Mr. Vargas and his family, many important needs have been met.

Mr. Luis Natividad, a local citizen and staff member of Councilman Stevens, who has personally provided numerous opportunities for cultural enrichment to the children of Hacienda, opportunities that they would not have had available to them if not for Mr. Natividad's kindness and commitment.

Mr. John Kyne, a resident of Hacienda Townhomes who is not only a tireless volunteer for Hacienda, but whose personal quest of 20 years to relocate and reunite his family from war-torn Liberia exemplifies the family values that Hacienda Townhomes embraces.

Maria Elena Castellano, a representative from San Diego's Mayor Dick Murphy office commended the work of Hacienda Townhomes and praised their community contributions. "Hacienda Townhomes is proof that when our community comes together greatness can be accomplished."

"The mission of the Waitt Family Foundation is to help good people do great things," said John Heubusch, president of the Waitt Family Foundation. "Today, we are extremely pleased to be part of this special celebration and to do our part to assist Hacienda Homes in their efforts to make a meaningful difference in the community. It is our belief that by helping to close the digital divide we are helping to ensure all of our children, and the neighborhoods in which they live, have access to the tools and information they need to get ahead, and stay ahead," Heubusch added.

The Hacienda Townhomes PowerUP site is one of 17 centers the Waitt Family Foundation is sponsoring in San Diego County. Along with their commitment to open PowerUP centers in San Diego County, the Waitt Family Foundation has also committed to providing up to 50,000 Gateway computers over a three-year period to PowerUP centers nationwide.

ABOUT HACIENDA TOWNHOMES
Hacienda Townhomes is an affordable housing community with the mission of having all residents become homeowners through furthering education and improving job skills. Hacienda has 52 units and 236 residents, including 108 children between the ages of 1 and 18. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for its residents and neighboring community by ensuring access to the rich diversity of community services and cultural activities offered in San Diego.

ABOUT POWERUP
PowerUP is comprised of dozens of non-profit organizations, major corporations and state and federal government agencies that have joined together to ensure that America's underserved youth acquires the skills, experiences and resources they need to succeed in the digital age. In less than two years, thanks to sponsors like The Waitt Family Foundation, PowerUP has opened more than 350 community-based technology centers, installing computer labs in schools, public housing complexes, youth serving facilities, and community centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.