Program helps domestic violence victims

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is encouraging county employees to donate their old wireless phones, PDAs, accessories and batteries to HopeLine®, a Verizon Wireless initiative which turns no-longer used cell phones into support for domestic violence victims and survivors. In exchange for the phones and PDAs, HopeLine will contribute to Haven--an Oakland County-based organization that provides specialized, comprehensive services in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. "As the former prosecutor, I've seen firsthand the devastating effects that domestic violence has on victims and their families," Patterson said. "HopeLine is a unique program that offers victims an opportunity to find the help they need." HopeLine gives donators a way to help prevent domestic violence by donating no-longer used wireless phones and accessories from any service provider in any condition. The phones, once refurbished, can help victims of abuse feel safer and less isolated by giving them a way to call emergency or support services, employers, family members, and friends. The phones are provided with 3,000 minutes of service to local domestic violence organizations or law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients. Collection boxes and posters promoting the program are available in employee break rooms in all Oakland County government buildings through Jan. 11, 2013. So far, county employees have donated and shipped five boxes of wireless phones to HopeLine. In 2011, HopeLine collected nearly 34,000 no-longer-used wireless phones from Michigan residents; donated more than 3.5 million minutes of service to domestic violence shelters for use by their clients; and gave more than $300,000 in grants to shelters and other organizations. Published: Fri, Dec 14, 2012

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