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HOPELINE FROM VERIZON DONATES $50,000 TO

KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON WOMEN FOLLOWING FIRST MONTH
OF STATEWIDE USED MOBILE-PHONE DRIVE
Grant to Fund WorkSafe Domestic Violence Education for Businesses
LOUISVILLE, Ky., November 12, 2014 First Lady Jane Beshear, Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson and
Madeline Abramson, chair of the Kentucky Commission on Women (KCW), as well as more than a
dozen state and local officials, today for a $50,000 grant presentation to the KCW. The grant follows the
first month of a statewide HopeLine from Verizon drive in which 18 state agencies and numerous
other participants have collected old phones and accessories. HopeLine turned the devices into the cash
grant to fund the WorkSafe program, which provides domestic violence prevention training for
Kentucky businesses.
The KCW Statewide HopeLine Drive began Oct. 1 and continues through Nov. 30. Used phone drop
off locations include 18 state agencies (see list below), 13 University of Kentucky sororities and 16
fraternities, and The Mary Byron Project, a partner in the WorkSafe program. The 24 KCW
Commissioners also are collecting devices. In addition to the grant, Verizon Wireless provided
Hopeline from Verizon collection boxes and posters, along with free shipping for all collected devices.

Nearly 87 percent of U.S. companies have yet to develop a policy to address domestic violence
in the workplace, and thats something were working to improve in partnership with HopeLine
so that Kentucky can lead the way, said Gov. Steve Beshear, citing statistics from the U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Domestic violence too often goes
undiscussed in the workplace, but this HopeLine grant ensures that businesses throughout the
Commonwealth will begin talking about the issue, and better supporting the employees who face
abuse every day.

Most of us have old cell phones or chargers around the house that we no-longer use, said First
Lady Jane Beshear. Steve and I encourage all Kentuckians to join us in the effort to help the
nearly one in four women and one in seven men, who will be the victim of domestic violence in
their lifetimes.

HopeLine from Verizon helps survivors of domestic voices regain their voices both
symbolically and through the power of a phone to call for help, said Lauren Love-Wright,
president of Verizon Wireless for Kentucky, Michigan and Indiana. In addition to turning
donated phones and accessories into cash grants for domestic violence agencies, Verizon

donates phones to shelters for survivors to use. The phones help survivors feel safer and less
isolated, and give them a way to call emergency or support services, employers, family and
friends.

The goal of the drive was to collect 3,500 used cell phones and accessories, one for each night
that an adult or child spent in a domestic violence shelter in Kentucky last year, said KCW
Chair Madeline Abramson. We hope to reach our goal during these next two weeks by
continuing to collect devices and accessories. Special thanks to Kentuckians who donated
devices, and to all of the organizations and state agencies joining the drive. Please take one last
look in your closets and drawers, because every device dropped off in a HopeLine from Verizon
box helps someone dealing with abuse.

Through the WorkSafe program, the Mary Byron Project works with KCW and Kentucky State Police
to train business leaders throughout the Commonwealth to become proactive about supporting
employees who are dealing with domestic violence. The program teaches employers why its in their
best interest to have policies addressing domestic abuse and how to implement safe practices for those
who are at risk. The goal is to help businesses of all sizes create safer workplaces while reducing the
economic, legal and productivity risks in the workplace that are associated with domestic violence.

Mary Byron Project Executive Director Marcia Roth said, You can't assume that domestic
violence is not happening in your workplace. People may not see the signs of physical abuse, but
its far more common than we think, and far more costly to employee productivity than most
businesses understand. Employers who take advantage of WorkSafe training will have a better
grasp of the issue, and better tools for supporting workers dealing with abuse at home and
ensuring that their workplace is safe for all employees.

HopeLine from Verizon turns no-longer-used wireless devices and accessories in any condition
from any provider into cash grants and other support for domestic violence programs. With todays
grant, Verizon has given more than $158,000 for domestic violence prevention and response in
Kentucky in 2014. Since HopeLine was launched in 2001, the program has collected more than 10.8
million phones nationwide, awarded more than $21.4 million in cash grants and distributed more than
180,000 phones with nearly 544 million free minutes and 207 million text messages to shelters for use
by survivors. Donated devices that cannot be refurbished and resold are disposed of in accordance with
Verizons zero-landfill policy.
Verizon customers who are being abused or who are concerned about signs of potential abuse in a friend
or loved one can dial #HOPE from any Verizon Wireless phone to reach the National Domestic
Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233 [SAFE] and TTY 1-800-787-3224). During Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, Verizon will donate $3 to domestic violence prevention programs for each purple
HopeLine-branded accessory sold.
About the Kentucky Commission on Women:
The Kentucky Commission on Women is dedicated to elevating the status of women and girls in the
Commonwealth, empowering them to overcome barriers to equity, and expanding opportunities to
achieve their fullest potential.

About The Mary Byron Project

The Mary Byron Project was established in 2000 in memory of the young woman whose tragic murder
led to the creation of automated crime victim notification technologies. As a nationally recognized
thought leader on domestic violence, the Mary Byron Project cultivates and supports efforts that extend
beyond crisis management to attack the root causes of this epidemic and help build safer, healthier
communities.
About Verizon Wireless:
Verizon Wireless operates the nations largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. As the largest
wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 103.3 million retail customers, including 97.3
million retail postpaid customers. Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc.
(NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and
updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or
follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.
List of Kentucky Agencies participating in the KCW Statewide HopeLine Drive:
Cabinet for Economic Development
Education and Workforce Development
Energy and Environment Cabinet
Finance and Administration Cabinet
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Labor Cabinet
Department of Military Affairs
Personnel Cabinet
Public Protection Cabinet
Office of State Budget Director
Office of Technology
Tourism, Arts & Heritage
Transportation Cabinet
Department for Local Government
Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky Office of Homeland Security
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of the Governor/KCW