New York, NY - Girls Incorporated, a national non-profit that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, announced today that the Time Warner Foundation will award the organization a two-year $600,000 grant to expand the Girls Inc. Media Literacy SM program; additions to the program will emphasize media production and community action. The YMCA of USA will receive a similar grant.

"We are grateful and excited that the Time Warner Foundation has invested in and supports the new definition of literacy," Roché. "In the digital age, girls can't afford just to be media consumers. This grant will help girls build the skills and tools they need to be media advocates and to foster positive change."

Michele Sacconaghi, Executive Director of the Time Warner Foundation, said, "We're proud to make Girls Inc. one of our first national grant recipients. Girls Inc. has always been on the forefront of programs that push young women to gain the skills they need to succeed, and we know that this program teaching critical 21st Century skills will help the organization build on this strong history."

Girls in the Girls Inc. Media Literacy program are encouraged to be more than just passive media observers. Using 21st Century literacy skills, girls are taught to analyze, evaluate, and critique media messages, and then create their own messages. Girls become active viewers who are able to assess the effects of media messages, develop news skills, and turn these skills into action aimed at positive change in their communities.

In the updated program, girls aged 14 to 18 will use 21st Century media and technology skills to share stories about issues affecting them, and create plans to address these problems. Girls will identify, explore, and document social and public policy concerns that are relevant to their lives; collaborate on message development; plan and produce a media campaign to express their views; and engage communities in their work.

In the first year, the Girls Inc. Media Literacy program will reach girls in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Omaha, and Dothan (Alabama). Over the long term, the program has the potential to reach an estimated 200,000 girls in 71 Girls Inc. centers in the U.S.

As with all Girls Inc. programming, the organization will conduct both process and outcome evaluations and pre/ post-tests addressing program concepts and desired outcomes.

Girls Incorporated(r) is a national nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM. With local roots dating back to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls and their communities through programs and advocacy that empower girls to reach their full potential and understand, value, and assert their rights. Visit Girls Inc. online at www.girlsinc.org.

About Time Warner Inc.
Time Warner Inc. is the world's leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems, publishing and music.

The Time Warner Foundation supports using media, technology and community involvement to help young people develop the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.

About YMCA
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,540 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and largest provider of child care. YMCAs serve 18.9 million people, including 9.3 million children through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Financial assistance is available. To learn more visit www.ymca.net