CHOICES Recognizes Verizon at 2011 Peacemaker Awards

CHOICES interrupts the cycle of domestic violence by responding to those in need and serving as a light in the darkness. Sometimes the light is the glow of a cell phone.

For this reason, CHOICES recognized Verizon with the 2011 Peacemaker Award at its annual luncheon on October 25. Verizon received the award for the company's commitment to addressing the issue of domestic violence through its philanthropy, use of technology, and employee volunteer force.

Verizon has aligned their philanthropic work with their business by leveraging their technology expertise to help victims stay safe. The HopeLine program collects no-longer used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories and enables service providers like CHOICES to give a phone to a victim to use so that they can feel safe and less isolated in times of crisis. Since the program began, more than eight million phones have been donated. (To learn more about donating your mobile phone, click here.) Verizon also launched #HOPE, a service available across the Verizon wireless network. By dialing #HOPE, then pressing send, callers are connected directly to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to get the help they need.

Verizon is investing millions of dollars across the county to assist in domestic violence prevention and tackle the issue from many different angles. The Verizon Foundation makes philanthropic investments in programs that enhance prevention through education and incorporate online resources for broad outreach to diverse populations. They also fund programs that deliver effective relief and services for survivors. Also, the national documentary, Telling Amys Story, was produced by Penn State Broadcasting and funded by the Verizon Foundation. The documentary chronicles the domestic violence homicide of Amy Homan McGee and is helping it be used as a catalyst for community conversation and action. The detective in the documentary, Detective Deirdri Fishel, was the keynote speaker at the Peacemaker Awards luncheon this year.

In addition, CHOICES and victim services organizations across the country have benefited from volunteer support from Verizon employees. Verizon has the fifth largest employee volunteer program in the country.

Nearly 700 people attended the Peacemaker Awards luncheon and the event raised more than $100,000 to support the work of CHOICES.