Leah Cunningham, Mayor's Office
(212) 341-9097
Lcunningham@cityhall.nyc.gov
Robin B. Nicol, Verizon Wireless
908-789-4719
robin.nicol@vivianipr.com
Verizon Wireless HopeLinesm Program Helps Fund Family Justice Center in Brooklyn and Assists NYC Shelters With Grants and Phones
- The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence, in partnership with Verizon Wireless, today announced the kick-off of this year's citywide wireless phone recycling drive that will benefit victims of domestic violence and help dispose of old wireless phones in an environmentally-safe way. A portion of funds received through this program will help support the New York City Family Justice Center in Brooklyn, a new domestic violence program announced by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg this fall.
Wireless phone models and equipment from any carrier may be dropped off at any of Verizon Wireless' 21 Communications Stores in the City's five boroughs. The phones will be refurbished or sold through the company's HopeLine Recycling Program. Either wireless phones or cash grants will be donated to support non-profit domestic violence agencies. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.
"Recycling old cell phones is one of the many ways concerned citizens can join in the fight against domestic violence," said Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez. "Although other organizations now collect wireless phones, we hope New Yorkers will continue to donate no longer used phones to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program because the need to protect victims of domestic violence and their children is so great."
During the past two years, using funds generated by the HopeLine Phone Recycling Program, Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region awarded six HopeLine grants totaling $60,000 to domestic violence prevention groups to fund new or expanded programs, in addition to numerous phones and cash donations. The company also has pledged $100,000 to support the New York City Family Justice Center. This Center will allow victims to access comprehensive services more easily by placing dedicated domestic violence prosecutors and essential service-providers under one roof.
"Verizon Wireless is proud of our long-term partnership with the City of New York to help victims of domestic violence," said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless' New York Metro Region. "These women are survivors from every walk of life who deserve all the support and assistance we can give them. The phones contributed to the HopeLine program by community minded citizens continue to help local families rebuild their lives."
Domestic violence prevention and education is Verizon Wireless' chief philanthropic focus. Through its signature community program, HopeLine, the company provides free voice mailboxes and emergency phones to victims residing in shelters and to law enforcement agencies to distribute to women at risk. 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 and advocacy groups, including nearly 100,000 wireless handsets in the New York Metro area. Donations are accepted at all 71 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the New York Metro area.
The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence ("OCDV") formulates policies and programs; monitors the citywide delivery of domestic violence services; and works with diverse communities to increase awareness of domestic violence. OCDV works closely with community leaders, health care providers, City agencies and representatives from the criminal justice system to create solutions which are critical to preventing domestic violence in New York City. For help 24-hours a day, victims are urged to call 911, 311, or the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline at 1(800) 621-4673. Domestic violence is a crime in New York City and batterers will be held accountable.
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