BOSTON – Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project (GMDVP) received a $10,000 Verizon Foundation grant to support a domestic violence prevention program that educates gay, bisexual, transgender and queer men about domestic violence and the role they can play in responding to it. Campaign goals are to empower men to speak out against domestic violence, act as positive influencers to other men, and provide awareness and resources to the community.
GMDVP is one of 19 nonprofit agencies across Massachusetts that will receive a total of $220,000 in grants to support domestic violence prevention and services programs. This year, the Verizon Foundation focused its funding on programs that engage men in domestic violence awareness and prevention; mobilize teens to engage in healthy relationships and in spreading domestic violence prevention; help survivors transition through economic empowerment programs; and support families through healthcare initiatives.
Stephanie Lee, Verizon regional director of public affairs, visited GMDVP on Wednesday, Dec. 5 to present a check to the program directors.
“The Verizon Foundation is working to help stop the cycle of violence by providing financial, technical and human expertise to organizations that focus on education, prevention, victim relief and empowerment,” said Lee. “We appreciate GMDVP’s leadership on this important issue, and are proud to support them in their mission to ensure domestic violence survivors are able to live safer, healthier and happier lives.”
Kevin Kealing, GMDVP’s Board Chair, underscored the importance of the Verizon Foundation grant. “Verizon’s leading role in domestic violence philanthropy is already a model for other corporations. However, their ongoing support of GMDVP also encourages corporations to be mindful of marginalized domestic violence victim populations. Verizon’s support is critical to our ability to meet the needs of GLBTQ survivors.”
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company’s innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, health care and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon’s employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.2 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon’s philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).
GMDVP provides crisis intervention for GLBTQ victims and survivors of intimate partner abuse and sexual assault. GMDVP works with all survivors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GMDVP’s offerings include education, advocacy, and direct services including a 24-hour domestic violence hotline, an emergency safe-home and legal advocacy. GMDVP has been providing services for 19 years and serves Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. 24 hour hotline: 800.832.1901.
[From a news release]
