MEXICO CITY, Oct 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Following through on its commitment to empower communities by way of education and global economic opportunity programs, The Western Union Foundation through its Agent Giving Circle, and Western Union Agent Grupo Elektra, today donated USD $300,000 to Fundacion Azteca's Plantel Azteca education program.
Western Union's Agent Giving Circle program matches one-for-one Agent donations to eligible nonprofit organizations in support of programs such as Plantel Azteca, Mexico's first and only fully-funded and privately run school for gifted students living in underserved communities.
The Western Union Foundation and Grupo Elektra grant will help support Plantel Azteca's education programs, and is part of Western Union's Our World, Our FamilySM global signature program.
"Education is one of Western Union's Our World, Our Family key funding priorities," said Western Union Foundation President, Luella Chavez-D'Angelo. "Western Union recognizes -- as does Fundacion Azteca -- the core value of learning, and that education is one of the most important tools to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities."
Plantel Azteca was established in 1997 by Fundacion Azteca, the philanthropic arm of Grupo Salinas. To date, the school has received more than 140,000 student applications, and has so far accepted 2,500 students in grades seven through nine, with plans to eventually include up to the 12th grade.
Plantel Azteca also offers more than 600 hours of computer training programs, allowing students to graduate as computer technicians or database programmers within three years if they cannot afford to pursue a higher education.
Students participating in the program are required to maintain an 8.5 grade point average (on a scale of 10) to participate in the program. Plantel Azteca covers all registration and tuition expenses, including school supplies.
The school also extends its reach to its students' parents, encouraging them to attend counseling sessions on family and community issues.
Western Union's Our World, Our FamilySM, is a five-year, $50 million signature program designed to provide communities with the skills, knowledge and resources essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. The program is framed around four areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks, with each pillar given equal attention towards helping families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams.
About the Western Union Foundation
Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $48 million to more than 1,750 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries. Its signature giving program, Western Union's Our World, Our FamilySM, is a $50 million, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a combined network of more than 365,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com.
About Grupo Elektra
Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx) is Latin America's leading financial services company and specialty retailer focused in the mass market. The Group operates more than 1,900 points of sale in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina. Grupo Elektra also sells and markets its consumer finance, banking and financial products and services through Banco Azteca branches located in Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.
About Fundacion Azteca
Dedicated to improve health, nutrition, education and the environment, Fundacion Azteca is one of the most recognized non-profit organizations in Latin America, and has expanded its footprint to the U.S. Hispanic community through Fundacion Azteca America.
Instead of charity, it gives individuals the resources to help themselves. Since 1997, Fundacion Azteca has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of persons, connecting people with willingness to help, and organizations with noble causes, while creating awareness of some of society's most serious problems. For more information, visit www.fundacionazteca.org.
About Grupo Salinas
Created by the entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas operates as a forum designed for the development of entrepreneurial abilities and support for decision-making by the top executives leading the firms that integrate it: TV Azteca, Azteca America, Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Grupo Iusacell, and Azteca Internet.
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SOURCE: Western Union
Western Union Daniel Diaz, 720-332-5564 daniel.diaz@WesternUnion.com