Chatham University Partners with Verizon Wireless, Verizon Foundation to Empower Domestic Violence Survivors.

Partnership to Generate Statewide Study That Will Arm Organizations, Governments with Crucial Information to Combat Ongoing Crisis

PITTSBURGH -- As the nation commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness Month this month, Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation have pledged $25,000 to support Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy (PCWPP). The grant is the centerpiece of a multi-faceted partnership that will give organizations and agencies statewide valuable tools to fight the ongoing crisis of domestic violence. Representatives from Chatham University, Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation will discuss the partnership at a news conference on Thursday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the James Laughlin Music Center on the campus of Chatham University.

The center will use the grant to conduct a statewide study on domestic violence, and the study's results will be part of the center's annual "Ready to Matter" research series that takes a critical look at issues affecting women.

"This grant will enable the research series to dig deeper, exposing domestic violence trends across the state and in individual counties and regions," said Allyson Lowe, Ph.D., assistant professor and director-Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy. "We then intend to release our findings during the next year through our website and with various printed materials."

Recent statistics indicate that domestic violence continues to affect thousands of families in Pennsylvania. In a single day in 2006, nearly 2,500 adults and children across the state sought services from domestic violence agencies1. In 2006, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recorded 127 deaths due to domestic violence2.

"Knowledge is power, and for agencies and governments to effectively respond to this ongoing crisis, they need information that is updated on a regular basis," said Roger Tang, president-Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. "They need to respond to emerging trends so that they can tailor their services appropriately. We are proud to support Chatham University and this important initiative."

The $25,000 grant is being made available through the Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless' award-winning HopeLine([R])program, which puts the nation's most reliable wireless network to work in communities by turning unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence.

"Verizon constantly seeks new and innovative partnerships to raise awareness, promote prevention and help to break the cycle of violence in our communities," said William B. Petersen, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "We believe the 'Ready to Matter' research series can have a dramatic impact on everyone's understanding of this critical issue and how to respond to it."

The "Ready to Matter" research series takes a snapshot of critical issues and how they impact women across the commonwealth. Topics include women in politics, economic factors affecting women and the state of women's social autonomy, and domestic violence. The grant from Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation will augment the domestic violence component of this year's report.

In addition to the research initiative, Chatham University launched a campus-wide wireless phone collection program at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Students are encouraged to drop their no-longer-used wireless phones in donation boxes across campus. The proceeds of the drive will benefit HopeLine.

"Chatham College for Women, Chatham University's undergraduate college, is central to this institution's heritage and history," said Esther Barazzone, Ph.D., president-Chatham University. "The majority of domestic violence survivors in Pennsylvania are also women, and we are pleased that our students will be playing a role in advancing the mission and objectives of HopeLine."

The results of the "Ready to Matter" research series are expected to be available in late October. The HopeLine wireless phone drive on campus will continue throughout the school year.

To learn more about HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. For more information about Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy, visit www.chatham.edu.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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 Verizon Foundation

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery. In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteers programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

About Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 62 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Chatham University

Chatham University provides its 1,800 students with a solid education built upon strong academics, public leadership and global perspectives. Chatham's graduate programs, continuing education and certification programs provide women and men with advanced education for professional careers. Founded in 1869, the University includes Chatham College for Women; the College of Graduate Studies; and the College for Continuing and Professional Studies. The 35-acre arboretum campus is located on historic Woodland Road in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh. For more information call 800-837-1290 or visit www.chatham.edu.

1 Source: National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

2 Source: "2006 Domestic Violence Fatality Report," issued by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.