Domestic Violence Survivors in Maryland Get Much-Needed Health, Emotional and Legal Support with $10,000 Verizon Foundation Grant to Marian House

BALTIMORE, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help Marian House increase support services for domestic violence survivors and build awareness of this serious social problem, the Verizon Foundation has awarded the agency a $10,000 grant.

The funding will support Marian House's Domestic Violence Survivors Support Program, which provides housing and comprehensive services that directly improve the health and well-being of domestic violence survivors throughout Maryland.  The program also aims to help survivors understand the connection between the abuse they have suffered and their destructive thinking patterns or dysfunctional behavior; promote advocacy for victims of domestic violence; and inform survivors of their legal rights and options.

"We are truly thankful and appreciative of all the support Verizon has given us over the years," said Katie Allston, executive director of Marian House.  "We have had a wonderful relationship with Verizon, whose support has helped make the work we do possible."

Joseph Daniels, Verizon's assistant vice president of government affairs, said, "Raising awareness about domestic violence and aiding in its prevention is one of Verizon's key goals.  Domestic violence touches every segment of society.  And, while the problem is universal, the solutions are not."

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors that one person uses in a relationship to control another person.  Partners may be married, unmarried, heterosexual, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating.  The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while.

Each year, on average, 45 percent to 65 percent of the homeless women who come to Marian House have experienced domestic violence.  Marian House's mission is to be a holistic, healing community for women and their children who are in need of housing and support services.  Marian House provides a safe, loving environment that challenges women to respect and love themselves, confront emotional and socio-economic barriers, and build stable and productive lives.

About Marian House

Since its founding 28 years ago, Marian House has become known as the leading organization that provides high quality rehabilitative services and housing to women and their children.  Marian House provides comprehensive services to many women who have suffered from trauma, physical and sexual abuse, addictions, and other challenges that left them homeless, unemployed and often separated from their families.  To learn more, visit www.marianhouse.org.

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention.  In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  Under the HopeLine from Verizon program, no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories are collected at Verizon Wireless stores, or by mail, to help victims of domestic violence.  The devices are refurbished or recycled in an environmentally friendly way.  Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million phones, properly disposed of 1.7 million no-longer-used wireless phones, and kept more than 210 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills.  For store locations and to learn how to donate a phone using a postage-paid mailing label, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

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SOURCE Verizon