The Daily Tell

In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Verizon Foundation announced that it has donated $1.5 million in grants to California nonprofits to benefit domestic violence education, advocacy, support and prevention initiatives across the state.

"The impact of domestic violence is devastating and universal: It can impact anyone regardless of race or income level, said Tim McCallion, region president of Verizon West. "These partnerships allow us to continue to use our resources to support organizations that have a proven record of success in domestic violence awareness, prevention, and survivor support."

The contributions include a $300,000 grant to support the Commitment to End Abuse of Seniors and Elders program in San Francisco, $70,000 to benefit the Domestic Violence Reporting & Referral Project at Oakland’s Alameda Family Justice Center, $50,000 to support the Domestic Violence Solutions emergency shelter program in Santa Barbara, and $30,000 to benefit the Stop Partner Abuse/Domestic Violence Program at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

Other funded initiatives include the Career Transitions Program at the Jenesse Center in Los Angeles, which received $250,000 to provide domestic abuse survivors with internet and computer training to help build their job skills; the Sisters Achieving Self Sufficiency Program from My Sister’s House in Sacramento, which received $40,000 to fund their efforts to stabilize the lives of domestic violence survivors; and the Boys Council and Girls Circle initiative from Temecula’s Safe Alternatives for Everyone program, which received $54,000 to prevent young people from engaging in at-risk behavior.

Domestic violence awareness is a major focus of Verizon’s philanthropic activities, a cause to which the company has contributed more than $5 million in the past three years.