HAVEN has received a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support the nonprofit organization's focus on education and prevention. HAVEN delivers services to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault across Oakland County.
The Verizon Foundation's donation is the third in a series of grants that has fully funded the production of "Daisy Tells a Secret," a groundbreaking DVD designed to help adults navigate age-appropriate conversations with children, aged 4 to 8, on the challenging subject of sexual abuse. The film was created by One of Us Films, a Detroit-based media production and distribution company.
"Daisy Tells a Secret" is an animated story about personal safety and body ownership and includes interviews with psychology, safety and medical experts. In total, the Verizon Foundation has contributed $70,000 toward this project.
Victor Mack, director-retail sales, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Michigan, and a HAVEN board member, presented the $20,000 grant on Sept. 17 to Beth Morrison, HAVEN CEO, at the Verizon Wireless store in Royal Oak. At the presentation, Morrison described how the film will help youngsters.
"Daisy tells her story of being sexually assaulted," Morrison said. "Within that story, she's able to talk about sensitive issues while relating to kids in a comfortable and safe manner. In the video, Daisy learns the difference between a good secret and a bad secret, and she helps kids take ownership of their bodies by being aware of what's appropriate and inappropriate in terms of touching."
Two versions of the instructional DVDs have been produced - one for parents and the other for use by schools, educators, health care providers, and daycare and prevention centers. The parents' DVD is available for $19.95. The versions for professional use range from $49.95 to $195.95. The DVDs are available at www.daisytellsasecret.com.
Domestic violence awareness and prevention is one of the core initiatives of Verizon's philanthropic focus, and the company has a long-standing history for supporting related initiatives. In addition to the Verizon Foundation's grant support, the company's HopeLine® program collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment in any condition from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to survivors, and provides funding and other contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.
Since HopeLine's national phone recycling and re-use program was launched in 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 7 million phones and awarded more than $7.9 million in cash grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations throughout the country.
HAVEN is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been giving hope a voice by working toward eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault for 35 years. The nonprofit offers treatment and prevention services as well as educational programs across Oakland County and the surrounding communities. For more information about programs and services, visit www.haven-oakland.org or phone 248-334-1284. For more information about HAVEN, contact Melissa Bunker at Melissa@MarketWriteMichigan.com or 313-886-9074.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, 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 $26.1 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 www.verizonfoundation.org.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: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 92 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 last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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