Verizon Foundation makes contribution for women's resources

A representative from Verizon Communications visited Radford University on Nov. 22 to deliver a Verizon Foundation grant of $20,000 to support Peaceline Plus, a sexual assault and dating violence awareness program co-sponsored by Radford University and the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley.

Verizon's Government Affairs Manager Steve Cronemeyer presented the donation to RU President Penelope W. Kyle during a brief ceremony that took place in front of McConnell Library.

"On behalf of the Radford University community, we thank the Verizon Foundation for its generosity," said RU President Penelope W. Kyle. "This grant will help support a program that serves as a vital resource within the New River Valley.  RU’s partnership with the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley is also a benefit for our students studying within the allied health and counseling disciplines, offering them valuable experiential learning opportunities. The Verizon Foundation’s support of this important relationship will help promote greater awareness of sexual assault and dating violence in our communities."

Also in attendance were Pat Brown, executive director of the Women's Resource Center, and Dr. Jeanne Mekolichick, sociology chair and director of RU's Center for Social and Cultural Research (CSCR).

Steve Cronemeyer presents a check to the Women's Resource Center

Pat Brown, of the Radford Women's Resource Center; President Penelope Kyle, Radford University; Steve Cronemeyer, Verizon and Dr. Jeanne Mekolichick, Chair of the Department of Sociology.

"This program, targeted at building healthy relationships and appropriate dating behavior for teens, and the suitable and safe use of technology in relationships, will help prevent domestic and relationship violence, a longstanding goal of the Verizon Foundation," Cronemeyer said.

The Women's Resource Center and RU have a rich history of cooperation spanning more than 30 years. The center is not only located nearby in the City of Radford, but professors have frequently been involved in their spare time and students have often volunteered in the center or on hotlines. "This relationship has enriched both the Women's Resource Center and the university in so many ways," Brown said.

For more information on the organizations behind the Peaceline Plus awareness program, visit the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley or the RU Center for Social and Cultural Research websites.

Dec 6, 2013