Verizon Foundation Supports Singapore Nonprofit, Improves Education of Disadvantaged Children

The Verizon Foundation and Verizon employees are assisting a Singapore organization, Beyond Social Services (BSS), in helping disadvantaged children improve their competency and motivation to get an education.

Blair Crump, Verizon Worldwide Sales, and Singapore employees hosted Beyond Social Services (BSS) on April 28 to celebrate a new education partnership. Through a Verizon Foundation grant, employees will work one-on-one with students to improve their abilities in literacy, education and technology.

On April 28, Blair Crump, senior vice president for Verizon's business and consumer groups, presented a $30,000 grant to BSS director, Gerard Ee. "I am honored to celebrate Verizon's partnership with Beyond Social Services," said Crump. "We share a common goal - to provide opportunities that positively impact the communities we serve."

BSS will use the grant to help 50 children from underserved communities in Singapore achieve age-appropriate literacy skills by strengthening their English abilities. At community center locations, the children will attend programs on English literacy, reading, math, science and art. They will also have individual education plans tailored to their specific needs.

Verizon Business employee volunteers will work one-on-one with the students to instill a love of learning and help them achieve their goals. This will allow the children to develop strong relationships with adults outside of their family units. At weekly classes, volunteers will also incorporate Thinkfinity.org into the learning activities, to integrate technology with learning.

"We support the goals of BSS and are pleased to work with them to improve the learning and lives of these children in Singapore by improving their education, literacy and technology skills," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston.