The cycle of domestic violence affects nearly one in four women, one in nine men, and over 3 million children across the country.  In 2011, Verizon invested more than $22 million as part of its longstanding commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness.

Part of the money donated by Verizon in 2011 included more than $4.2 million in cash grants from HopeLinefrom Verizon to nearly 450 domestic violence prevention and awareness programs across the country.  In addition to contributions through HopeLine, the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, awarded $10 million in grants in 2011 to nonprofit organizations that support those affected by domestic violence.

Verizon Wireless, through HopeLine, provided more than 29,000 phones with a total of 87.1 million minutes of wireless service to shelters and agencies nationwide for use by clients – enough minutes to stay connected nonstop for 165 consecutive years.

Of the 1 million phones collected, nearly 24,000 were properly disposed of using environmentally sound methods – keeping more than 59 tons of wireless phones and batteries from entering community landfills.  For the fifth consecutive year, Verizon Wireless collected more than 1 million no-longer-used wireless phones through its HopeLine from Verizon program.

“Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that affects our entire society–regardless of race, education or socioeconomic level,” said Marquett Smith, vice president of communications for Verizon Wireless.  ”To combat this serious issue, Verizon leverages its technology and resources to help victims and continue the battle against domestic violence.”

Through HopeLine, Verizon’s phone recycling program, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any carrier and puts them to work in the community by turning them into support for domestic violence survivors.  Phones collected through HopeLine recycling drives are either refurbished and sold or recycled, and proceeds are donated to organizations that work against domestic violence in the form of cash grants and prepaid Verizon Wireless phones for survivors.

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