Mission to "transform lives:" Verizon HopeLine makes a difference for domestic violence survivors

GREENFIELD -- Cell phones are everywhere, now you have a way to bring new life to your old phone.

"We do this by collecting no longer used wireless devices, refurbishing them, reselling them, with the proceeds going back into the community in the form of cash grants," said Verizon Director of Retail Sales Jarrett Dawson.

This is all part of Verizon's HopeLine program.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, HopeLine provided a $25,000 grant to the Sojourner Family Peace Center.

Past donations from HopeLine have helped Sojourner build its new facility.

"Our mission is to transform lives impacted by domestic violence and we can only do that because we get support of individuals and corporations like Verizon," said Sojourner Family Peace Center Executive Director Carmen Pitre.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence.

The Milwaukee Police Department has seen this first-hand.

"So much of the violence that we experience in the city is relationship or domestic violence related. This year 11 of our 117 homicides are related to domestic violence," said Milwaukee Police Assistant Chief James Harpole.

HopeLine has also donated more than 190,000 phones to domestic abuse organizations and is currently collecting wish list items for the Sojourner Family Peace Center.

You can donate your old phone to HopeLine at any Verizon store at any time, but only the Greenfield location is collecting wish list items through the end of October.

For women they are collecting deodorant, night wear (Medium - 3XL), house slippers (Medium - 3XL), Sweatpants and tops (Medium - 3XL), and blankets (twin size).

If you're in a domestic situation and need help call the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 414-933-2722.

For more information on HopeLine, CLICK HERE.