The Department's Fourth Annual Neighborhood Networks Week began yesterday and will run through June 26, and will focus on families and the future.

Many of HUD's more than 1,200 Neighborhood Networks centers throughout America, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are holding special events that celebrate the remarkable achievements, talents, leadership and skills of families living in HUD insured and assisted housing.

This year's theme - "Connecting Families with the Future," - supports the idea that improving technology access supports families, lifelong learning and self-sufficiency. The events showcase how Neighborhood Networks centers are connecting families with possibilities and promising futures.

Neighborhood Networks is a community-based initiative created by HUD in 1995 to enhance and enrich the lives of low-income residents through multi-service technology learning centers.

A full schedule of the week's events is available on the Neighborhood Networks Website (www.neighborhoodnetworks.org).