Community Corner

Women's Resource Center Receives Funds for Men's Engagement Program

The local agency is one of three grant recipients for domestic violence prevention and education work targeting engaging men in the efforts to end domestic violence.

The Women’s Resource Center received a $10,000 Verizon Foundation grant to support an awareness campaign geared towards engaging men in efforts to end domestic violence. 

The grant will be used to support the Engaging Men in Domestic Violence Prevention Program, which will train men who currently work with young men and boys in community programs to become mentors and positive role models of healthy non-violent manhood. 

“We know that violence is learned at a young age, even before violent behavior emerges. That is why prevention and education is vital in our mission to end domestic violence,” said Lori DiPersio, executive director of the Women’s Resource Center. “Through our partnership with Verizon we are able to expand our outreach to young boys who might not otherwise receive guidance in shaping their attitudes, and ultimately, futures.” 

The Women’s Resource Center is one of three nonprofit agencies in Rhode Island receiving a total of $30,000 in grants to support domestic violence prevention and services programs. Day One Inc. and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (of which the Women’s Resource Center is a member) also received grants for domestic violence awareness programs.

The Verizon Foundation focused its funding for these grants on programs that engage men in domestic violence awareness and prevention; mobilize teens to engage in healthy relationships and in spreading domestic violence prevention; help survivors transition through economic empowerment programs; and support families through healthcare initiatives. 

“The Verizon Foundation is working to help stop the cycle of violence by providing financial, technical and human expertise to organizations that focus on education, prevention, victim relief and empowerment,” said Michele Cinquegrano, Verizon regional director of government affairs. “We appreciate the Women’s Resource Center’s leadership on this important issue, and are proud to support them in their mission to ensure people are able to live safer, healthier and happier lives.” 

Earlier this year, the Women’s Resource Center and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence were recognized at a ceremony hosted by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. The event celebrated the success of the cell phone drive for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the winning Rhode Island court house in Newport.

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Both the Women’s Resource Center and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence were awarded checks by Verizon Wireless New England officials, who partnered with the Attorney General’s office in the cell phone drive through their Verizon HopeLine program.



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