Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Receives $15,000 Grant From Verizon for the Iowa Men's Action Network

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) announced today that it has received a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, for the Iowa Men's Action Network's (I-MAN) efforts to address the lack of significant male participation in preventing domestic violence.  I-MAN designed this project to help local domestic violence agencies engage men in their prevention work.

While this project aims to engage all men, I-MAN is specifically looking to engage minority men in Iowa. As a result of the rural nature of the state and the relatively small numbers of racial/ethnic minorities, culturally specific services and resources are often limited and difficult to access.  A public education and awareness campaign will incorporate images and messages that are culturally sensitive to Latino and African American men.

ICADV's Executive Director, Laurie Schipper said, "The Iowa MAN is a partnership filled with members who have potential and vision.  We need to include the voices of men in domestic violence prevention."

"Domestic violence affects everyone, directly or indirectly, and each of us need to be part of the solution," said Iowa First Lady Mari Culver. "I commend Verizon and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence for this partnership to engage more men in addressing this issue."

ICADV is striving to engage more men in domestic violence work as staff members, community volunteers and board members. One effort will be to develop a website that will provide resources to domestic violence programs, professionals and the public.  It will be developed from the perspective of men who already recognize how important it is for men to be a part of the solution when it comes to domestic violence.  The website will also provide a resource library, helpful links and important domestic violence statistics.

"Iowa is a rural state and sharing critical information can be challenging.  Luckily, advances in technology have helped eliminate some of the distance between us," said John Flannery, Verizon vice-president of government and external affairs. "Our partnership with the Coalition will allow them to use technology to bring men into the dialogue to help end violence in our communities."

Verizon Wireless has supported domestic violence awareness and prevention efforts over the last decade through the company's award-winning HopeLine® phone recycling program.  Through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories, in any condition, from any wireless service provider. Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. All proceeds benefit non-profit shelters and organizations that focus on domestic violence awareness and prevention. Over the last five years, Iowans have donated more than 70,000 phones to HopeLine and since the program began more then 7 million phones have been recycled or refurbished.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

About the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is a state level nonprofit organization.  Currently 28 direct service domestic violence programs across the state are members of the Coalition.  ICADV staff members provide training, counseling, community outreach, program management and technical support for the coalition members, professionals and the community.  ICADV administers seven programs, including but not limited to State Certification of Domestic Violence Programs and Advocates, Legal Assistance to Victims, and a statewide rural AmeriCorps program.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 92 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon