PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation in conjunction with The Enterprise Center, a leading business and economic development incubator based in West Philadelphia, today announced the launch of the Verizon "Pathway to Independence" Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Program. The pilot program will offer participants classroom sessions and hands-on experience that will enhance their workforce-readiness skills and provide entrepreneurial training for those planning to start their own business.

Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation are donating a total of $100,000 over two years with an initial investment of $50,000 this year to fund the program, which will be facilitated through [ The Enterprise Center ]. Program candidates will be identified and referred in coordination with Women Against Abuse, one of the largest domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania and the only shelter in Philadelphia that specifically serves victims of domestic violence. Women Against Abuse has served the needs of domestic violence survivors for more than four decades.

The grant program is based on the premise that domestic violence survivors, through their past experience and the coping and problem-solving skills they developed to escape the cycle of violence, are uniquely prepared to step into entrepreneurial roles. The partnership between entrepreneurship programs and domestic violence programs makes a great deal of sense: The Enterprise Center reports that, in 2010, 38 percent of its entrepreneurship graduates were female, and the program overall has resulted in significant increased sales, employee retention, and new jobs. In Pennsylvania, 98 percent of all business enterprises have five employees or less, according to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau - Statistics of U.S. Businesses, which illustrates that entrepreneurs and small business owners play a significant role in the state's economy and will be a key force in the state's economic recovery.

The program was announced today during Women Against Abuse's annual iPledge press conference in Center City, Philadelphia. With the announcement, Philadelphia joins New York State, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., as areas where Verizon has launched similar initiatives.

"For many domestic violence survivors, escaping an abusive spouse or partner is only half the battle," said Mario Turco, president of Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State Region. "Moving forward and creating an independent, self-sufficient life is a critical next step. It's our hope that 'Pathways to Independence' will help the participants cultivate skills that will lead to life-enhancing employment opportunities or small-business ownership."

Added Della Clark, president of The Enterprise Center: "We are so pleased that Verizon was interested in expanding their historic support of domestic violence survivors in this new direction. In tough fiscal times such as these, creating small businesses is a smart economic decision. In addition to providing an avenue to help domestic violence survivors put their hard-won skills to work to regain their independence, this program will also help provide even greater access to business education and economic development opportunities for high-potential minority entrepreneurs."

The successful development of a small business can bring domestic violence survivors increased control over their working lives, create important financial and social opportunities for them, and help ensure their long-term safety and stability. Interested individuals can obtain information on the program by sending an email to [ Hopelinesmallbizph@VerizonWireless.com ].

Verizon Wireless has a long history of supporting domestic violence survivors and organizations through its [ HopeLine ] program. Through HopeLine, Verizon Wireless collects, refurbishes and recycles old cell phones and accessories, and uses the proceeds to provide funding to domestic violence organizations and survivors. In addition, proceeds from HopeLine fund a variety of innovative programs.

For example, HopeLine recently awarded grants to provide for: the printing of training documents that assist employers in recognizing and addressing the threat of domestic violence in the workplace; video technology that allows domestic violence's youngest victims, children, to participate in legal proceedings from a safe environment; and startup funding for entrepreneurial survivors of domestic violence attempting to establish small businesses and economic stability.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: [ VZ ]) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit [ www.verizonwireless.com ]. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at [ www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia ].

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit [ www.verizonfoundation.org ].

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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Verizon Launches Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Program in Philadelphia

Verizon Launches Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Program in Philadelphia

- $100,000 Grant To Fund Program at The Enterprise Center for Survivors of Domestic Abuse- "Pathway to Independence Program" Will Provide Business Education and Training for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

- $100,000 Grant To Fund Program at The Enterprise Center for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

- "Pathway to Independence Program" Will Provide Business Education and Training for Aspiring Entrepreneurs