Donate cell phones to fight domestic abuse

Domestic violence is an ongoing problem that continues to grow. In fact, one in three women will be beaten and coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Nearly 9 million children will witness an act of violence in their homes this year alone and for 30 percent of the victims, who experience this abuse, they'll experience this violence during their pregnancy.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in order to combat this growing abuse, both the Mayor's office and Verizon Wireless launched a citywide cell phone recycling drive. New Yorkers are urged to donate no-longer-used cell phones to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program for survivors of domestic abuse.
The HopeLine is a hotline that connects information seekers and survivors of domestic violence abuse to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for professional and confidential help.
Unwanted cell phones and accessories from any carriers are recycled or refurbished and sold. The proceeds are then donated as cash grants or pre-paid phones to advocacy groups for battered women.
This program also donates $5 for the first 2,000 unused phones donated to the HopeLine to the New York City Family Justice Initiative, which provides a supportive environment with the objective to stop the cycle of domestic violence.
The City opened its first center in Brooklyn in July 2005 and in its first year of operation it served over 3,500 adult and 800 child victims of domestic violence. As a result, victims in Brooklyn are accessing services more than ever before. Based on that success, Mayor Bloomberg has expanded the Family Justice Center to Queens and the Bronx.
&#8220Many of us have old used cell phones and batteries just sitting in a drawer, and the more often you upgrade your phone, the more old phones you end up with,” said Mayor Bloomberg. &#8220If you donate your old cell phones and batteries to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Program, you help domestic violence victims while also keeping electronics waste out of our city landfills. I strongly urge New Yorkers to take part in this great program.
&#8220HopeLine recycling is an easy way for community-minded citizens to support local domestic violence organizations as they work to transform women from victims to survivors,” said Charles Hand, president of Verizon Wireless New York Metro Region.
To drop off any wireless phones go to any of the 25 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the five boroughs. To find out where these stores are and additional information go to www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline or www.nyc.gov/domestic violence.
If you are a victim or know of a victim of Domestic Violence Abuse contact the HopeLine by dialing #HOPE from any Verizon Wireless phone or dial 1-800-799-SAFE on a landline phone. The call is toll and airtime free.