Verizon Wireless Marks Opening Of Bilingual Telesales Center In Chicago, Illinois, With $75,000 Donation To Mujeres Latinas En Accion

CHICAGO, IL — To mark the opening of its first bilingual Telesales Center in the Midwest, at 3435 West 26^th Street in Chicago, Verizon Wireless has announced that it will donate $75,000 to Mujeres Latinas en Acción for a Technology Center at the organization's new, renovated facility set to open this November. The donation is the largest one to date given by Verizon Wireless to a non-profit organization in the state of Illinois.

Mujeres Latinas en Acción is one of the nation's longest-standing nonprofit organizations that work for women's rights and empowerment issues, and offers Chicago's Latino community specific programs on domestic violence, sexual assault, leadership, parental support and youth. Its new facility is located at 2124 W. 21^st Place in Chicago.

Like Mujeres, Verizon Wireless is committed to preventing violence in Chicagoland's homes and communities. The company has been on the forefront of this national issue for more than a decade with its HopeLine® program, through which donated wireless handsets and equipment are refurbished and sold, with the proceeds going to support domestic violence awareness and prevention programs. Last year alone, the company collected more than 750,000 phones and contributed more than $800,000 to domestic violence organizations nationwide.

The Verizon Wireless Technology Center will eventually house 14 computer stations with 18 computers, two network laser printers and a library of educational and business software. The Center will be complemented with an LCD projector and laptops to establish a mobile lab offsite when needed while serving clients outside Mujeres' main office. Digital cameras will also be available for project learning applications-using images in documents, reports and other purposes.

"The Technology Center will give Mujeres' clients access to technology that will help them achieve academic and economic success," said Carolyn Schamberger, manager of Public Relations-Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless. "They'll be able to do things like create their resume and apply for jobs online. In addition, the Center will offer children-who don't otherwise have access to a computer-the tools needed to complete their homework assignments and explore other interests via access to the Internet and email."

"The tools, and the training that will go with them, will empower program participants and put them on a path to self-reliance," said Maria Pesquiera, President and CEO of Mujeres Latinas en Acción. "We can't thank Verizon Wireless enough for their generosity and support. This is an investment in the well-being of the Latino community for years to come."

Verizon Wireless' support of Mujeres extends beyond the Technology Center. The company will be offering additional support in the following ways:

• As part of the HopeLine program, the company will be donating 40 phones with free airtime service for Mujeres to give to domestic violence victims to help them from both a safety and security perspective, as well provide them with a connection to their friends, family, employers and other important individuals as they go through the life-rebuilding process.
• Verizon Wireless will be donating eight phones and free airtime service for Mujeres staff advocates to help them stay in touch with both the office and their clients while they are out in the field.
• The company will be the presenting sponsor for Mujeres' annual benefit gala in March of 2006.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About HopeLine
2005 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, which puts wireless products and services to work to combat domestic violence. Today, HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless carrier and refurbishes or recycles them with proceeds benefiting victims of domestic violence. The environmentally friendly HopeLine Program also provides victims with essential communication tools — wireless phones and wireless services, including voicemail and pre-paid wireless minutes. Donations are accepted at all 1, 900-plus Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. For additional information, customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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