Verizon, Yasmin Davidds
Mobilize Youth against Domestic Violence
Verizon
Wireless is partnering with author and empowerment specialist, Yasmin
Davidds, to create the Verizon Wireless HopeLine and Yasmin Davidds
Mobilizing Voices campaign. It’s a culturally relevant domestic violence
prevention and awareness campaign, which calls upon Latino youth to
empower themselves and help end the cycle of domestic violence within
their community. It’ll focus on facilitating a dialogue on dating violence
and providing Latino youth with the tools necessary to improve and foster
healthy relationships.
The
campaign will culminate with a Mobilizing Voices college tour hosted by
Yasmin Davidds at the University of Southern California on October 20th,
San Jose State University on October 21st, and Arizona State
University on October 22.
Over 70
student organizations have come together to help organize the Mobilizing
Voices events and raise awareness.
"We will
be discussing the issues of dating violence using an approach that
students will relate to," said Yasmin Davidds. "Our goal is to create a
movement where our youth are motivated and feel empowered to help a friend
or loved one."
Verizon
Wireless has long been a corporate supporter of domestic violence
awareness programs under their HopeLine initiative and in 2007 committed
over $1.7 million dollars to domestic violence shelters and assistance
programs.
"We were
exploring unique ways to raise awareness of domestic violence and our
HopeLine initiative among Latino communities," said Ken Muche, Verizon
Wireless. "By partnering with Yasmin Davidds, the campaign will allow us
to work with Latino youth to create a forum for education and prevention
across multiple states."
As part
of the campaign, Yasmin Davidds and Verizon Wireless will honor four
students who have exemplified extraordinary courage in freeing themselves
from domestic violence. The Verizon Wireless HopeLine and Yasmin Davidds
Mobilizing Voices Award will be presented to four students who have shared
their stories in transforming the experience of being a victim of domestic
violence into a success story of living as a survivor.
A
selection committee will choose the students who, in their opinion, best
exemplify the strength, courage and resolve of the human spirit needed to
regain control of their lives. Entrees will be accepted via the micro site
at www.mobilizingvoices.com.
An awards
ceremony will recognize the honorees with a plaque and congressional
proclamation. In addition, a $5,000 donation will be granted to a domestic
violence shelter in each of their names.
The
awards ceremony will take place at the University of Southern California
on October 20, 2008.
