Verizon Wireless Champions Awareness and Prevention During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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Verizon Wireless Champions Awareness and Prevention During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Several Initiatives in Connecticut, New England Highlight Year-Round Commitment

October 12, 2001

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WALLINGFORD, CT

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Domestic violence is a year-round issue. Surveys indicate that approximately one-third of women in the United States have suffered abuse from a loved one.* During October, National Domestic Violence Awareness month, Verizon Wireless continues its commitment to domestic violence awareness and prevention through various donations and programs both nationally and throughout New England.

Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is a corporate leader in the fight against domestic violence. It has implemented programs within its workplace to raise awareness and provide assistance to employees. Throughout the year, the company supports both local and national organizations, which provide education, outreach and direct assistance to victims and families. And through its HopeLineSM Program, Verizon Wireless collects used wireless phones and donates new phones to victims of domestic violence through human services and law enforcement agencies.

In addition to its work with organizations in Connecticut and throughout New England, the company is announcing several donations and initiatives in Connecticut this month. For example:

  • Wish List Drives for Shelters. The company's Wallingford headquarters and Meriden Customer Call Center are collecting household goods to donate to Chrysallis, the Wallingford-Meriden Domestic Violence Center, and The Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven.

  • Invest In Yourself Seminars. The company will also empower domestic violence victims in Waterbury and Fairfield County with a seminar entitled, "Invest in Yourself." This course will instruct them on how to get a job, write a resume and how to "sell" themselves during an interview.
  • Lunch and Learn. For its employees, Verizon Wireless is sponsoring a "Lunch & Learn" session on domestic violence with a guest speaker from Greater New Haven Domestic Violence Services, who will give advice on where to get help if they, a colleague or a loved one are faced with this issue.

Verizon Wireless is also addressing domestic violence as a serious business issue. According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, 37 percent of domestic violence victims say abuse at home directly impacts their work performance. The company has implemented programs allowing employees to reach out discreetly and ask for help or express concern for coworkers. Human Resources departments are equipped with the information and authority to respond appropriately and effectively.

Through its HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless puts its own wireless products and services into the hands of victims to ensure their safety and help get their lives back on track. The company has donated thousands of wireless phones, pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 and one other emergency number, in the event of an encounter with an abuser. Voice mailboxes are also donated to individuals in shelters, allowing for private communication with family members, and potential employers and landlords without the abuser's knowledge.

"As a company, we realize the business impact of domestic violence, and have taken progressive steps to ensure the well-being of our employees. And as people who live and work throughout New England, we are proud to support organizations that make a difference by promoting domestic violence awareness and prevention in our communities," said Bob Stott, president for Verizon Wireless' New England Region.

*The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman's Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women's Health, May 1999

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28.7 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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