BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Forty-eight New England nonprofits received a boost for their domestic violence prevention efforts from the Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program on Thursday, Sept. 25.
At a pre-game ceremony at Fenway Park, representatives from the Verizon Foundation presented leaders from the region’s six statewide domestic violence coalitions with $280,000 in grants to benefit local non-profit organizations that provide programs and support for domestic violence prevention. These grants help educate teens about healthy relationships, increase training for first responders and medical professionals, and augment vital support services for survivors and their families.
Additionally, the following coalition leaders threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch:
- Karen Jarmoc, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Wethersfield.
- Maureen Gallagher, Jane Doe Inc, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Julia Colpitts, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Augusta.
- Lyn Schollett, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Concord.
- Deborah DeBare, Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Warwick.
- Karen Tronsgard-Scott, Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Montpelier.
“Our aim is to shine a light on this important issue and to recognize the innovative work of organizations that tirelessly support survivors of domestic violence in our communities,” commented Christine Berberich, New England Region president for Verizon Wireless. “We’re proud to partner with these non-profits to serve victims today, while also designating resources towards reduction and prevention of future violence.”
The Verizon Foundation New England Domestic Violence Solutions Awards focus on programs that provide survivors with resources that enable them to continue treatment and recovery; support the health and wellness of families affected by domestic violence; engage men to take action to end violence against women; and educate teens on healthy relationships.
For more than a decade, Verizon has been a champion of ending domestic violence through its various business units and its philanthropic foundation, investing more than $77 million in grants to domestic violence prevention organizations and shelters since 2000. Verizon supports a broad range of programs that include:
- Training healthcare practitioners and first responders about screening for signs of abuse.
- Engaging men as role models and advocates for prevention.
- Educating teens about preventing dating violence and forming healthy relationships.
- Allowing all Verizon Wireless customers to easily connect with domestic violence resources by dialing #4673 (#HOPE).
Verizon became the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle no-longer-used cell phones. HopeLine® from Verizon puts the nation’s most reliable network to work in the community by turning no-longer used cell phones into support for domestic violence victims and survivors. The program recycles used cell phones, batteries and accessories, and uses the funds generated to donate phones, airtime and funding to domestic violence agencies. Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 10.8 million phones, properly disposed of 2.4 million no-longer-used wireless phones, and donated 180,000 HopeLine phones with free airtime to domestic violence organizations nationwide.
About the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company’s innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon’s employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon’s philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 104.6 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with more than $120 billion in 2013 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 177,800. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/news/.
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