Verizon Helps Domestic Violence Victims Through Hopeline Program

The statistics on domestic violence are startling: one in four women, one in seven men and more than 3 million children are victims of domestic violence in the United States. Cell phones are one way in which victims can get help quickly.

Verizon's Hopeline program refurbishes used phones, gives them 3,000 airtime minutes and texting, and gives the phones to domestic violence survivors through participating domestic violence agencies. The program has resulted in the distribution of hundreds of thousands of phones and cash grants of millions of dollars to partner agencies.

The program began in 2001. Since its beginning, 151,000 phones have helped survivors of domestic violence with a support line to reach out for help in an emergency and also contact family and friends. In addition, the program has helped the environment by keeping more than 260 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.

Domestic violence is an epidemic that affects everyone. Donations of used phones may be done by taking phones to a nearby Verizon store, or sent through the mail.

For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/commitment/community_programs/hopeline/index.html