Congresswoman Melissa Hart to Visit Center Banquet Facility in New Castle On
  Friday June 14, 2002 Where Computers Will Be Distributed to Autism Society
                               Member Families

    PITTSBURGH, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Rivers Connect (3rc) http://www.3rc.org and
the Pittsburgh YMCA Y-Tech have announced that they have joined forces to
provide computers to the Western Pennsylvania Autism Society.  On Friday,
June 14th at 9:00 a.m. Congresswoman Melissa Hart acknowledged the joint
efforts of 3rc and the YMCA and the good work of the Autism Society.  She
visited the Center Banquet Facility in New Castle where nearly 50 computers
were distributed to member families from the region.
    The Autism Society requested assistance from Congresswoman Hart to help
low-income families who are members obtain computers for home use.  Louise
Pallarino, President of the Midwest Autism Society sees the emerging use of
computer technology and the Internet as valuable tools for education and
access to information.
    "Children with autism are visual learners and seem to be naturally adept
at using computer.  My son uses the Internet to find information on everything
from games to the latest McDonald's Happy Meal," says Pallarino.  "This
program extends that possibility to families who otherwise would not have a
home computer."
    "We are pleased to partner with the Pittsburgh YMCA Y-Tech to provide
technology to the member families of the Western Pennsylvania Autism Society,"
said Ronald Gdovic, Ph.D. executive director for 3rc. "This initiative is
another crucial step in our continual efforts to turn the Pittsburgh and
Western Pennsylvania region into a leading digital community in the U.S. "
    The Midwest Chapter of the Autism Society of Pennsylvania has a mission to
provide encouragement, strength, and hope to families who are dealing with
spectrums of autism through education and support.  The chapter includes 150
members from the counties of Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango.

    About 3 Rivers Connect
    3 Rivers Connect is a Section 501(c)(3) organization working in
cooperation with local and state agencies and public and private institutions
to accelerate economic, social, and educational development through
applications of advanced technology. 3rc is accomplishing this mission by
initiating and supporting information technology projects that are nationally
recognized for their innovation and effectiveness. To learn more, visit
http://www.3rc.org or contact Ronald Gdovic, Executive Director of 3rc at
(412) 392-1006.

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