i.c.stars Launches Scholarship Fund with $25,000 Donation from Geneca

Oakbrook Terrace, IL, 1/19/2007  --  i.c.stars, a non-profit technology training organization developing 1,000 community leaders by 2020, today launched a scholarship fund for alumni of the program.  Thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from custom software development firm Geneca, with $7,000 designated for scholarships, two alums each year will be awarded scholarships based on their contributions to the community and embodiment of the i.c.stars vision.

In 2006, i.c.stars announced a partnership with DePaul University, where all i.c.stars alums are now given special admission consideration to the CTI and SNL Bachelors’ programs at DePaul.  “While the scholarships may be used at any secondary school of their choosing, the DePaul partnership and the i.c.stars scholarship fund will take a lot of the mystery out of the continuing education planning process for our alums”, said Eric Lannert, Vice President at i.c.stars, “We are extremely grateful to our board members and executive volunteers who helped pull these partnerships together.”

Individuals with a GED or high school diploma and six months work experience in any job are eligible to apply to the i.c.stars training program through the website after attending an information session and meeting with other alums. Interested candidates can visit the recruiting site: www.howcanicstars.org.

“The DePaul partnership makes the case for i.c.stars scholarships that much stronger,” said Mark Hattas, CEO at Geneca, “i.c.stars supporters like our firm instinctively know the business value of a degree from a top-tier university like DePaul.  And we know the community leadership contributions of i.c.stars graduates, so financially supporting such a specific initiative is a no-brainer.”

Geneca has been an annual i.c.stars sponsor since 2004 and anticipates making a recurring donation to the scholarship fund. i.c.stars plans additional corporate and individual contributions to the fund with a 2007 goal of $15,000.

"We expect to double the size of the program by later this summer," said David Ormesher, CEO of closerlook, and Chairman of the i.c.stars Board of Directors. "Partners like Geneca are enabling that growth. By generously enabling a scholarship fund for i.c.stars graduates, Geneca adds considerable value to the program and for our interns."

About i.c.stars

i.c.stars was founded in 1999 to develop 1,000 community leaders by 2020.  Through training in technology, in leadership and in business skills i.c. stars prepares inner city young people from 18 to 27 years old for high-level careers in information technology (IT).

Visit www.icstars.org

For more information contact:
Jessica Chipkin
jessica.chipkin@geneca.com
630.599.0900

#####