Bright House Networks to Sponsor Farmington Hills Youth At Afterschool Event in Washington, D.C. Next Week

Farmington Hills, Mich. - April 21, 2009

Two seventh graders who attend the City of Farmington Hills Youth and Family Services After School Program will spend April 27 and 28 in our nation's capital learning about advocacy and urging lawmakers to increase funding for afterschool programs. Bright House Networks is sponsoring Lauryn Johnson's and Lauren Savage's trip to participate in the Afterschool Alliance's eighth annual Afterschool for All Challenge.

"At Bright House Networks, we understand how much afterschool programs can do for children, their families and the community," said Robert McCann, President of the Detroit Division of Bright House Networks. "Not only can they help children succeed academically, they also help children learn new skills, develop an understanding of the importance of getting involved in their communities and become good citizens. We're proud to give Lauren and Lauryn the opportunity to come to Washington to let legislators know how much afterschool programs do for them and the thousands of young people like them across the country."

Johnson and Savage will join hundreds of parents, children, educators and advocates from around the country at the two-day Challenge. On Monday, they will participate in a special youth leadership training to prepare to meet with Members of Congress. On Tuesday, the girls will attend and speak at a "Breakfast of Champions," at which the Afterschool Alliance will present awards to afterschool champions. The event will also feature U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Chicago First Lady and afterschool champion Mary Daley.

"Our afterschool program gives the kids in our community a safe place to go and do homework while their parents are still working," said Johnson. "It's a cool place to hang out with friends, learn new things and get involved in helping the community. I want our legislators to know how much our program does for kids, families and the community and I'm glad that Bright House Networks is giving me the opportunity to tell them."

"I started going to the program's summer camp two years ago and I liked it so much I decided to join the afterschool program," said Savage. "My friends and I have someplace to be where we're safe and busy, instead of sitting at home alone being freaked out. I get to socialize, play games and even go ice-skating. I'm grateful to my program for giving me these opportunities and to Bright House for sponsoring my trip so that I let my legislators know how important afterschool programs are."

After the "Breakfast of Champions," Johnson and Savage will join other afterschool advocates as they fan out across Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff. In the meetings, advocates will discuss the benefits offered by afterschool programs and urge Congress to continue to increase funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative (21st CCLC). The 21st CCLC is the chief federal funding stream for afterschool.

"Every child should have access to the benefits of afterschool programs," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "That's the message we will be carrying to our national legislators. Lauren and Lauryn are perfect examples of how children flourish when they are in programs that keep them safe, inspire them to learn and help their working families. We need to support these programs and these children. We're delighted that these young women are coming to DC to talk about all that their afterschool program has done for them and we're extremely grateful to Bright House Networks for making their trip possible."

About the Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

About Bright House Networks 
Bright House Networks is dedicated to providing customers with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled customer service. With its readily adaptable platform, Bright House Networks delivers video, voice and data services as they evolve, so customers always have the most up-to-date technology at their fingertips. Video-on-Demand (VOD), Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD), Digital Video Recorders (DVR), High Definition Television signals (HDTV), high-speed data services (HSD) and Digital Phone are just a few services offered by Bright House Networks today that not long ago were considered futuristic.

Exceptional customer service is the company's cornerstone and its top priority. Bright House Networks' local, customer service centers are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, including holidays.

The company serves more than two million customers in several large markets including Tampa Bay and Central Florida (Orlando), Indianapolis, Birmingham, Bakersfield and Detroit, along with several other smaller systems in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Each community benefits from the company's long-term support of education and to what matters most in the lives of Bright House Networks customers.