Public Awareness
OPDV Press Releases
CONTACT:
John O’Malley, Verizon
585.321.7264 or 585.261.5899
john.omalley@verizonwireless.com
http://twitter.com/johnnyverizon
or
Suzanne Cecala, New York State Office for the
Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV)
518.457.5744
suzanne.cecala@opdv.ny.gov
www.opdv.ny.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Verizon Launches Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Program
in New York State
Program to provide one-time grants to entrepreneurs who have escaped the cycle of domestic violence
ALBANY, N.Y. – Verizon
Wireless and the Verizon Foundation,
in conjunction with the New York
State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), today
announced the launch of the Verizon Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship
Grant Program, which will provide grants to domestic violence survivors
to help them successfully develop small businesses.
Verizon
Wireless and the Verizon Foundation are donating a total of $45,000 to fund
the grant program. One-time grants will range from $500 to $2,500 per applicant
and can be used to make a down payment on a work space, purchase a computer
or other office equipment, purchase initial product inventory, as collateral
to support the receipt of a small business loan, pay for child care or transportation
necessary to complete entrepreneurship classes, or other start-up costs.
Knowing
of Verizon’s strong support of domestic violence survivors through its
HopeLine initiative and other grant-making activities, OPDV Executive Director
Amy Barasch approached the company with the idea for the scholarships, and
Verizon put the idea into action. The grant program is based on the premise
that domestic violence survivors, through their past experience and the coping
and problem-solving skills they developed to escape the cycle of violence,
are uniquely prepared to step into an entrepreneurial role.
The program
was announced today during a joint press conference at Equinox Community
Services of Albany, which has been providing domestic violence services since
1984.
“For
many domestic violence survivors, escaping an abusive spouse or partner is
only half the battle,” said Russ Preite, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate
New York Region. “Moving forward and creating an independent, self-sufficient
life is a critical next step. It’s our hope that the Verizon Domestic
Violence Entrepreneurship Program will help some of these women put their
hard-won skills to work to successfully bring a small business to life and
regain their independence.”
Added Executive Director Barasch: “We are so pleased that Verizon was interested in developing their historic support of domestic violence survivors in this new direction. In tough fiscal times such as these, creating small businesses can actually be a smart economic decision, and for domestic violence survivors, a safe one as well. We hope that this new resource will encourage entrepreneurship programs across the state to establish working relationships with their local domestic violence providers, giving them access to promising new students who will be able to reach safe self-sufficiency while growing the state’s economy. ”
Applicants
will be required to submit a business plan, and be enrolled in, or have completed
an entrepreneurship assistance program, many of which are offered across
the state through local chambers of commerce or schools and universities.
New York State’s Empire State Development funds a network of entrepreneurship
assistance programs across New York.
The partnership between entrepreneurship programs and domestic violence
programs makes a great deal of sense: in 2007-08, 60 percent of the state-supported
entrepreneurship program graduates were female, and the programs overall
resulted in significant increased sales, employee retention, and new jobs. In
addition, many existing entrepreneurship programs have graduated domestic
violence survivors, even though the programs may not know that fact.
“I applaud the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic
Violence, Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation, for their efforts
in launching this important program,” said Dennis M. Mullen, chairman
and CEO of Empire State Development. “Governor Paterson and ESD
are committed to helping New Yorkers to overcome obstacles and achieve financial
stability. New York State’s Entrepreneurial Assistance
Program has assisted new and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing basic business
management skills, refining business concepts, devising early-stage marketing
plans and preparation of action plans. We have heard many stories about survivors
of domestic violence who have come to our EAP Centers looking to build their
business skills and fulfill their small business dreams. The grant program
announced today is a chance at another start for those individuals and another
step towards supporting the growth and development of small businesses across
New York.”
In New York State, 87 percent of all business enterprises have four employees
or less, illustrating that entrepreneurs and small business owners play a
significant role in the state’s economy and will be a key force in
the state’s economic recovery. In addition, the successful development
of a small business can bring survivors increased control over their working
lives, create important financial and social opportunities for them, and
help ensure their long-term safety and stability, according to Executive
Director Barasch.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless
voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered
in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless
is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone
(LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit the Verizon Wireless website.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution
stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia
Library.
About HopeLine
Verizon Wireless, a recognized corporate leader in the fight against domestic
violence, works to combat domestic violence and raise awareness of the issue
through the company’s HopeLine program. Marking its 15th year
in 2010, HopeLine today collects wireless phones and accessories from any
wireless service provider, and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them
in an environmentally friendly way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program
benefit victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies, providing
essential communication tools of wireless phones and wireless services, and
financial grants. Phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless
Stores across the country. For additional information, please visit the Verizon Wireless Hopeline webpage.
About the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is charged with improving
the response of state and local communities to domestic violence. OPDV provides
guidance to Executive level staff on policy and legislation; conducts statewide
community outreach and public education programs; and trains professionals
on addressing domestic violence in a wide array of disciplines, including
child welfare, law enforcement and health care
About Empire State Development’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Programs
The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program supports Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers in local communities to provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to individuals who have recently started their own business or are interested in starting a business. The program’s 24 centers are located strategically throughout the state. For a list of the centers in the state, visit the Empire State Development's website.
