Verizon Wireless Presents "Invest In Yourself" Seminar At Northern Westchester Shelter

ORANGEBURG, NY — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless this week (December 15, 2004) presented a job training program to help victims of domestic violence develop and hone the skills they need to compete for jobs in today's marketplace. The program was held at the Northern Westchester Shelter.

Called "Invest in Yourself," the program consists of seminars that focus on employment topics, such as interviewing, communications, networking and preparing effective resumes. Verizon Wireless female executives with experience in human resources, marketing and management offer the seminars, which are based on the company's self-development course curriculum for employees, on an agency's premises.

The program, created by Annette Lowther, the company's associate director of Human Resources in the New York Metro Region, has served as a model for similar programs offered to domestic violence victims across the Northeast by local Verizon Wireless employees. Eileen Akbar, human resources consultant, presented the seminar in Westchester this week.

"For victims of domestic violence, beginning a job search is one of the first steps toward rebuilding their lives," Lowther said. "We hope to break down some of the barriers these women face and equip them with the skills needed to land a job and become more independent."

Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief community focus. In addition to the employment seminar, Verizon Wireless recently awarded the Northern Westchester Shelter a $10,000 HopeLine^SM grant to fund "Love Should Not Hurt", a Teen Dating Abuse Summit in April 2005. The company also announced last week a HopeLine Phone Recycling Program partnership with Westchester County to recycle no longer used wireless phones collected at various county locations.

Through its HopeLine Recycling Program, the company collects used wireless phones to be recycled or sold. Proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase phones for victims. As a result of HopeLine and related phone recycling programs the company has organized since 1995, Verizon Wireless has collected more than two million used wireless phones for the benefit of domestic violence victims, including nearly 90,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. Donations are accepted at all 71 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

Domestic violence advocacy groups interested in scheduling a seminar or more information may call 845-429-3839.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, 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 receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

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