Seven Nonprofit Organizations Reap More Than $63,000 in Grants to Provide Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Programs to Youth in Allegheny County

PITTSBURGH - Seven nonprofit organizations serving youth in Allegheny County have been awarded more than $63,000 in grants by the Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless to help raise awareness of and prevent domestic violence.

The grants will help implement innovative projects to educate Allegheny County's youth about the causes and effects of domestic violence and to help communities address and prevent the problem. 

The following organizations have received grants:

• Contact Pittsburgh - $5,000
• Gwen's Girls - $9,800
• Kidsvoice - $9,500
• Three Rivers Youth - $9,000
• Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Inc. - $10,000
• Womanspace East Inc. - $10,000
• Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh - $10,000

"Domestic violence is a widespread problem that not only impacts families but affects the overall community, including businesses," said Roger Tang, president - Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia region, Verizon Wireless.  "Domestic violence extends beyond the relationship between two people and is a known contributor to child abuse and workplace violence."

The Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless are committed to raising awareness of domestic violence and educating people about its causes and effects.

"Verizon constantly seeks new and innovative partnerships to raise awareness, promote prevention and help to break the cycle of domestic violence in our communities," said William B. Petersen, president of Verizon Pennsylvania.  "We are proud to play a role in the mission of these seven nonprofit organizations to improve the safety of families, especially children, in neighborhoods across Allegheny County."

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company 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 the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery.  In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad.  The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions.  Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteers programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.  

About Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 62 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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