Verizon Wireless Awards $25,000 Grant to Fund New Intensive Counseling Services at YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, Aug. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless presented a $25,000 HopeLine grant to support the introduction of intensive counseling services for the city's victims of domestic violence at the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati.

"We are so grateful to Verizon Wireless for their ongoing commitment to supporting domestic violence services in our community and nationwide," said Charlene Ventura, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati president and CEO. "Children are devastated by the impact of domestic violence. This generous grant will enable the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati to begin a pilot program offering trauma services to children and mothers residing in our domestic violence shelter. Parents and children will receive sessions four times per week from trained clinicians from the Family Nurturing Center to enhance their relationship and decrease trauma."

The HopeLine grant was presented during the "Domestic Violence and Its Youngest Victims" luncheon, where social media influencers gathered for an intimate discussion with guest speaker Barbara Boat, Ph.D., director of the program on childhood trauma and maltreatment at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and featured experts from the YWCA.

"Verizon HopeLine is partnering with the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati to increase the capacity of critical services needed by survivors of domestic violence. The $25,000 HopeLine grant will support an initiative that can make life changing differences for women and children living through trauma," said Erica Sevilla, public relations senior consultant for Verizon Wireless for the Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia region.

Developed in 2001, Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program helps domestic violence victims in Cincinnati and across the country by providing cash grants to help nonprofits fund education, programs, and support services, in addition to collecting no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to support the organizations.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 104.6 million retail customers, including 98.6 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. 

About the YWCA
The YWCA, the largest women's organization in the world, is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

The Greater Cincinnati YWCA has been serving the community for 146 years. Led by President & CEO Charlene Ventura, the YWCA serves more than 35,000 women and their families each year through programs in crisis intervention, health and wellness, education and training, youth services, and recognition and advocacy. For more information call the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-7090 or visit www.ywcacincinnati.org.

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless