CenturyLink New Mexico

QWEST MARCHES IN AND DONATES MORE THAN $12,000 TO STEP UP CHILD CARE THROUGH FAMILY WORK & DEVELOPMENT FUND

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. April 18, 2008 –CenturyLink today announced a $12,383 grant to Step Up Child Care (SCC) of Tijeras through the CenturyLink Family Work & Development Fund (Fund). The Fund is a unique partnership of CenturyLink and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The Fund supports family care programs that address the evolving needs of employees, their families and their communities.

"Qwest’s Family Work & Development Fund is a great partnership with CWA and an extraordinary way for employees to be involved in their communities," said Loretta A. Armenta, CenturyLink president for New Mexico. "The grants help connect employees with a number of unique programs targeted toward New Mexico families."

The grant will be used to fund the purchase and installation of playground equipment.

“We are fortunate to serve the community and have such a positive impact on so many families,” said Mary Dammann, director of SCC. “We appreciate the way the community, and partners like CenturyLink, have shown their support to us. We couldn’t do what we do without community support.”

Step Up Child Care provides an opportunity for children to have a place to learn and explore in a safe environment. It serves families from several different population groups, including low-income, single parent, professional and dual-income, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and children in foster care. SCC admits children of any race, color and creed, and national and ethnic origin.

The primary objective of the Fund is to provide new or expanded initiatives in the areas of child, youth, and disabled adult or elder-care services.