San Diego YWCA Receives $50,000 Award From Verizon For Domestic Violence Awareness Programs

SAN DIEGO–YWCA of San Diego County received a $50,000 grant award from Verizon through its HopeLine program.

The funds will support the YWCA Becky’s House domestic violence programs, which include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal assistance and integrated services. In addition to grants for leading nonprofit organizations and agencies, HopeLine from Verizon collects no-longer used wireless phones and accessories to benefit survivors of domestic violence. Donated phones are then turned into valuable resources for nonprofit organizations and domestic violence survivors nationwide.

“Dealing with the consequences of domestic violence in our society is an enormous challenge. We applaud YWCA of San Diego County for their commitment to providing survivors with effective prevention programs,” said Heidi Flato, public relations manager for Verizon.

Domestic violence affects one in four women in their lifetime — more than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined. Despite the misconception that domestic violence is a gender-based issue, one in seven men are victims as well. In San Diego county, 16,719 incidents were reported to law enforcement in 2016, although the majority of cases are never reported due to the complex dynamic of violence within abusive relationships.

“We are grateful for Verizon’s commitment to ending and preventing domestic violence in our community and across the nation. Their generosity will allow us to provide life-saving services and vital resources to more than 8,100 women, men, and children affected by domestic violence in our Becky’s House programs,” stated Heather Finlay, chief executive officer of YWCA of San Diego County.

Following its 10th annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event earlier this month, YWCA of San Diego County continues to prompt the community to take action against domestic violence and honor the resilience of survivors for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including the “Purple Purse Challenge” presented by Allstate Foundation and a digital educational toolkit.