Hawai'i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Receives $10,000 Verizon Foundation Grant

HONOLULU, HI — Hawai’i domestic violence prevention advocates and law enforcement will learn how the latest wireless technology can help keep abuse survivors safe, but may also be used against them. The training is possible because of a new partnership between the Hawai’i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (HSCADV) and Verizon.

Funded through a $10,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, the new program will offer seminars to educate domestic violence advocates throughout Hawai’i on the use of cutting-edge technology. They will then share this critical information with survivors, support groups and law enforcement officials in their communities. The grant will be announced Friday, Sept. 3 during the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conference.

“This program is critical to helping our advocates stay up to date with technology changes,” said Carol Lee the Coalition’s executive director. “The Coalition is pleased to partner with Verizon to bring this life-saving information to communities throughout the state.”

As technology advances, it is increasingly important for victims of domestic violence and their advocates to be familiar with the latest communications tools, according to Mark Yamauchi, Director of Sales for Verizon Wireless in Hawaii.

“Verizon is committed to using our resources and the latest technology to address the issues that are critical to the well-being of our communities,” Yamauchi said. “This initiative will provide advocates the information and tools they need to help victims counteract abusive stalking tactics.”

Verizon Wireless has supported domestic violence awareness and prevention efforts over the last decade through the company’s award-winning HopeLine® phone recycling program. Through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories, in any condition, from any wireless service provider. Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. All proceeds benefit non-profit shelters and organizations that focus on domestic violence awareness and prevention. In the last five years, Hawaiians have donated more than 35,000 phones to HopeLine. During 2009 alone, the HopeLine program provided $83,000 in free phones with airtime plus cash grants to shelters and domestic violence organizations in Hawai’i.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (http://www.thinkfinity.org/), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.

Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org. For more information about HopeLine visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

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 mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

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