HOPE COALITION JOINS AS SPONSOR TO WE CARE JOB FAIR

(Los Angeles, California - January 30, 2002) Operation HOPE, a national economic empowerment nonprofit organization with offices in Los Angeles, will send representatives from HOPE Coalition to the "We Care Job Fair" sponsored by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). Staff and volunteers from HOPE Coalition will provide information on how displaced aviation and related industry workers can obtain free financial counseling and support services.

"We thank HOPE Coalition Los Angeles for bringing their economic assistance programs to displaced workers," said Joyce Sloss, director of the LAWA Small Business and Job Opportunities Division. "Many aviation industry workers are in need of the services provided by this outstanding organization."

HOPE Coalition is a national emergency financial management collaborative of the banking, financial services, credit, insurance and securities industries. Professionals from these industries volunteer their time to provide compassionate financial counseling and support services to workers and small businesses affected by disaster. It is the recognized financial services partnership with the City of Los Angeles.

"We are pleased to be working with Los Angeles World Airports," said John Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE and HOPE Coalition America. "Working in partnership with government, community, and the private sector, we will help restore the faith and rebuild the lives of Los Angeles workers, families and small businesses who are currently suffering," added Bryant.

HOPE Coalition is led by national co-chairs, Jack Kemp, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Dr. Preston Martin, former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve; and John Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE, Inc. In addition, local co-chairs include Richard Hartnack, vice chairman of Union Bank of California; Lynn Pike, regional president of Wells Fargo & Company; Greg Jones, president of State Farm General Insurance Company; John W. Mack, president of the Los Angeles Urban League; Paul Irving, chief executive and managing partner for Manatt, Phelps, Phillips, LLP; and Robert Lapiner, dean of the UCLA Extension program.

The LAWA Small Business and Job Opportunities Division will hold the "We Care Job Fair" for displaced aviation and related industry employees on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The job fair, which will have information on over 1,000 job openings from over 50 Los Angeles-area employers, will be held at the Proud Bird Restaurant located at 11022 Aviation Boulevard adjacent to LAX.

For more information on the "We Care Job Fair," please contact the LAWA Small Business and Job Opportunities Center at (310) 417-6490.