CONTACT: James V. Green

Executive Director

NetMentors.Org

(703) 527-9492

JGreen@NetMentors.Org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arlington, VA — February 3, 2000 — NetMentors.Org., a non-profit corporation based in Arlington, Virginia, has launched a free, career mentoring web site (www.NetMentors.Org) that is dedicated to helping America’s youth pursue meaningful careers. The company is providing this valuable community service by selectively recruiting thoughtful and energetic professionals from a wide range of career and academic backgrounds nationwide who will act as "NetMentors" to middle school and high school students, providing encouragement and constructive advice throughout the career development process, from career discovery to college acceptance.

"We are able to offer and support this valuable community service by leveraging the reach and functionality of the Internet via a monitored and controlled communications platform designed specifically for the on-line mentoring process," said Mark Gilleland, Director of Strategic Planning for NetMentors.Org. "The Internet represents virtually limitless opportunity for service innovation, and we are committed to achieving excellence in the area of Internet-based career mentoring for youth."

Adoption from the professional community is encouraging. Since the mentor recruitment began on September 17, over 225 mentors have signed-up, representing over 36 careers and geographic coverage from San Francisco to London. "This site will be so beneficial for inner city kids who don't always have the opportunity to have a mentor relationship," said Roberta Sweeper, a writer, graduate from Augustana College, and newly registered NetMentor. "Most of the schools do have web services that allow the kids to log on and get involved. I think this promises to be a great service."

In alignment with The National Mentoring Partnership, the Net Mentors team has worked to produce a secure and controlled online environment. "The foundation of our program is the Code of Conduct which we are able to enforce by automating the processes of monitoring messages and validation of new mentors," James Platt, Net Mentors’ Director of Information Technology explained. NetMentors.Org is poised to grow into an established Internet-based community service.

The NetMentors.Org service is currently in beta-testing through February 2000. Through a corporate alliance with Booz· Allen & Hamilton, the mentoring communications functionality will be tested in select Washington, D.C. junior high schools. As mentor enrollment grows, NetMentors.Org will launch student awareness campaigns planned for Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. This IPO-- Internet Philanthropy Offering-- is the first indication of what NetMentors.Org will offer students, mentors, alliance members, and their communities.

NetMentors.Org helps students of various cultural, economic, educational, and geographic backgrounds develop career aspirations by enlisting the support of experienced industry professionals entirely through the Internet. A national, nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, Net Mentors.Org is funded by its senior management team, and is pursuing financial support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Net Mentors, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For additional information on NetMentors.Org please visit www.NetMentors.Org, e-mail JGreen@NetMentors.Org, or call (703) 527-9492.