Domestic Violence Survivors Achieve Economic Self-Sufficiency With Help From Jenesse Center, Verizon
January 04 2010 - 3:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Career Transitions Program Breaks the Cycle of Violence Through
Educational Empowerment LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Jenesse Center's Career Transitions Program, bolstered by a grant
of $150,000 from the Verizon Foundation, has helped 12 more
survivors of domestic violence become economically self-sufficient.
The 12-week program, created in partnership with Verizon and
supported by the National Business Services Alliance, enables
enrollees to become certified for jobs in various professions,
including business, medicine, customer service and computer
training. The certification is provided by nationally accredited
colleges, such as Rutgers University, Louisiana State University
and Cal State University, Sacramento. During a recent graduation
ceremony for the 12 enrollees, Verizon representatives presented
the Jenesse Center with a check for the grant, bringing the
corporation's support for the Career Transitions Program to
$250,000 since 2008. "We are proud of the courage and determination
of our clients to seek change in their lives," said Karen Earl, the
Jenesse Center's executive director. "We are honored to have
Verizon as our corporate partner, and its support has moved our
Jenesse clients into a new realm of self-sufficiency through
education." The Career Transitions Program supports the Jenesse
Center's goal to increase self- empowerment through education for
women and families victimized by domestic violence. Domestic
violence can create serious obstacles that prevent survivors from
achieving economic security and self-sufficiency. By controlling
and limiting the victim's access to financial resources, a batterer
ensures that the victim will be financially limited if she chooses
to leave the relationship. "Jenesse's programs have been the
catalyst needed to inspire women to make life-changing decisions,
and Verizon is pleased to work with them," said Elva Lima, vice
president, strategic programs, Verizon. "We are extremely proud of
the women who have made the tough decision to step away from the
violence and complete the Career Transitions Program to assist them
in becoming economically self-sufficient and free of from abuse."
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon
Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12
education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org,
and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009,
the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 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 an additional $24.4 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
http://www.verizonfoundation.org/. About Jenesse Center Founded in
1980, Jenesse Center Inc. is a non-profit organization that
provides culturally sensitive programs, services and outreach
efforts to families victimized by domestic violence, by providing a
comprehensive, centralized base of support and services that
ensures a transition from immediate crisis to stability and
self-sufficiency. Jenesse Center provides a holistic, comprehensive
program to nurture victimized families back to a place of mental,
financial, physical and emotional well-being. Housing women and
children from 30 days up to two years through its 156-bed emergency
and transitional shelters, Jenesse also provides a variety of
support services to more than 1,000 families annually including
mental health counseling, independent life skills classes, computer
training, job referrals, after school programs for children, field
trips, tutoring and legal assistance offering assistance with
obtaining restraining orders for domestic violence victims. About
Verizon Communications Inc. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: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 89 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 employs a diverse
workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated
revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit
http://www.verizon.com/. VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news
releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high
quality video and images, and other information are available at
Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at
http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail,
visit the News Center and register for customized automatic
delivery of Verizon news releases. DATASOURCE: Verizon CONTACT: Jon
Davies, Verizon, +1-805-372-6969, ; or Karen Earl, Jenesse Center,
+1-323-299-9496 (Ext. 102) Web Site: http://www.verizon.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html
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