Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless Award Eight Delaware Nonprofits More Than $100,000

WILMINGTON, Del. - In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, eight Delaware nonprofit organizations will receive more than $100,000 from the Verizon Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications - and Verizon Wireless to support programs aimed at combating domestic violence and educating people about the problem.

Grant recipients will be announced today at the annual meeting and luncheon of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, sponsored by Verizon Delaware and Verizon Wireless.  Winners and their specific grant-funded programs are:

• Catholic Charities Inc. of the Diocese of Wilmington - a unique program addressing domestic violence intervention and prevention with a focus on breaking the abuser's cycle of violence

• Child Inc. - expansion of an innovative program called Project P.R.I.DE. (Promoting Respect in Dating Experiences), aimed at preventing domestic and dating violence among teens and young adults
• Community Legal Aid Society Inc. - expansion of the comprehensive delivery system for free civil legal services for victims of domestic violence in Kent and Sussex counties
• Delaware Center for Justice - community education and outreach initiative designed to empower seniors to take steps to lessen or end abuse and violence in their lives
• Delaware Technical & Community College Educational Foundation - continued funding for Verizon Rising Step Scholarship program for disadvantaged women and domestic violence awareness
• Delta Outreach and Education Center Inc. - funding toward a program called Are You in an Abusive Relationship? designed to help young women learn about abuse and how to seek help, if needed
• Latin American Community Center - Families in Control program to prevent domestic violence
• VSA Arts of Delaware - funding for A View Through My Window, an expressive art project designed for victims and survivors of domestic violence (children and adults)

Each organization submitted an online proposal to compete for the funding.  To qualify, applicants had to be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing programs that serve Delaware residents.

"Domestic violence is a serious issue in our country," said Verizon Delaware President William Allan.  "Verizon cares deeply about the communities we serve.  The goal of our grant program is to continue to raise awareness, educate people about the causes and effects of domestic violence, and help our communities in the First State address and prevent domestic violence situations."

Verizon Wireless, a recognized corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence, is providing grants through its HopeLine^® phone recycling program, where no-longer-needed wireless phones and accessories from any wireless provider are collected and refurbished or recycled in an environmentally friendly way.  Proceeds from the HopeLine program benefit domestic violence survivors and nonprofit advocacy agencies by providing them essential communication tools - wireless phones and services - and financial grants. 

Since 2001, HopeLine has awarded more than $10 million in financial grants and in-kind donations and collected more than 3 million wireless phones.

"In times of danger, domestic violence victims need access to resources that will provide assistance, and are easily accessible and secure," said Christine Baron, president of Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State region.  "That's the focus of our HopeLine program - to provide cell phones in emergency situations, but also to provide much-needed funding so organizations can continue making a positive impact in the community.  We certainly applaud the work that outstanding Delaware organizations perform each day in the areas of domestic violence education and prevention."
 
Verizon delivers technology that touches life.  The Verizon Foundation uses that technology and the foundation's financial resources to improve literacy and K-12 education; to support victims of domestic violence; and improve the delivery of health care.  In 2005, the foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad.  The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, which is one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States with 2 million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone.  For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About Verizon Communications Inc.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, 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 nearly 55 million customers nationwide.  Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 252,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com. Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers.  The company is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ.  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.

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