FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: The Network/La Red
Contact: Director of Organizing and Education
organizer@tnlr.org
 617-695-0877
Website: www.tnlr.org

The Network/La Red, a domestic violence program, forced to change their hotline number due to Verizon mix up

[Boston, MA- July 13, 2006] The Network/La Red, Massachusetts’s 17-year-old domestic violence organization specifically for lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender people, is changing their hotline numbers. The new hotline number is 617-742-4911 for voice, and the TTY hotline is 617-227-4911. The new numbers go into effect on August 1, 2006. Their office phone number, mailing address, and web address will remain the same.

“We did not want to have to change a number the community has come to rely on, but we had no choice” says Gunner Scott, Director of Organizing and Education.

The organization had to move their offices last year when the building they were in was converted to luxury residential condos. Verizon had assured the organization they would be able to take their number with them to their new location, but neglected to inform them that all the calling features that are essential to The Network/La Red’s hotlines would not be transferable until after they moved.

“It is unfortunate that we have to change a hotline number we have had for over 10 years, but it is necessary to maintain accessible, confidential services for the community” say Beth Leventhal, Executive Director.

The Network/La Red answers approximately 150 hotline calls per month and provides free, confidential services for lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender survivors of partner abuse. Other services include support group, emergency short-term shelter, and advocacy.  For more information about the organization visit their website at www.tnlr.org.

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Founded in 1989, The Network/La Red is a non-profit social justice organization dedicated to ending partner abuse in lesbian, bisexual women’s and transgender communities.

Date: September 24, 2004

Contact: Gunner Scott 617-695-0877
Organizer/Outreach Coordinator
organizer@tnlr.org
Beth Leventhal 617-695-0877
Executive Director
director@tnlr.org

For Immediate Release

The Network/La Red kicks off cell phone drive in October for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Network/La Red is kicking off the second year of their cell phone drive in the month of October, which coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Starting October 1st thru October 31st there will be collection boxes located at the following businesses: Wainwright Bank, all branches; Grand Opening, 318 Harvard St. Suite 32, Brookline; JP Licks, 659 Centre Street Jamaica Plain; Remembrances Floral Design, 12 Mt. Auburn St Watertown Square, who will also offer a free rose or other flower to anyone who donates a phone at their location; Cambridge Women's Center at 46 Pleasant Street Cambridge; and Northampton's Pride & Joy at 20 Crafts Ave, Northampton. These drop-off points enable community members to donate their phones while going about their daily business with a minimum of effort. Cell phones can be in any condition and only the handset and battery are needed.

"Last year we were able to raise over $3000 and we hope to double that amount this year, as each dollar raised goes to programs and services for victims of domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we wanted to have a way each year, that businesses and community members can donate to the organization without having to dip into their own pockets." says Beth Leventhal, Executive Director of The Network/La Red.

All donated phones are recycled through the reuse/recycle program of Shelter Alliance, which was developed in 2001, to help with fundraising for domestic violence programs. According a to a study released in 2003 by the national environmental research organization INFORM, "Calling All Cell Phones' research indicates an estimated 100 million cell phones, weighing approximately 50,000 tons, will be retired this year alone. An additional surge in this toxic waste flow is expected to follow the cell phone number portability rule (effective 11/24/03) as millions of consumers change wireless services and discard their incompatible cell phones."

"Not only do we raise funds for our organization, but we also raise visibility for two important issues, domestic violence and the environment, as donated cell phones get recycled instead of disposed of." says Gunner Scott, Organizer/Outreach Coordinator of The Network/La Red.

The Network/La Red is a grassroots organization focused on ending domestic violence in lesbian, bisexual women's and transgender communities. Current research shows that 25-33% of the LGBT community experience domestic violence and that this abuse is equal in severity and frequency to that in heterosexual relationships. To address this community health and safety issue, The Network/La Red provides a bilingual hotline (617-423-SAFE, TTY line 617-338-SAFE), emergency shelter, advocacy, support groups, court accompaniment, and community education and outreach. They also collaborate in approximately 17 coalitions, caucuses and/or roundtables across Massachusetts to build awareness and intolerance of LGBT domestic violence.

Cell phones can also be mailed to The Network/La Red PO Box 6011, Boston, MA 02114. If you would like more information or to organize a cell phone drive at your work, school, social group, or religious organization please call 617-695-0877, email cellphone@tnlr.org or visit www.thenetworklared.org.

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Press Release

Date: September 24, 2003
For Immediate Release

The Network/La Red kicks off cell phone drive in October for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Network/La Red is starting a cell phone drive in the month of October, which coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Starting October 2nd thru October 31st there will be collection boxes located at the following businesses: Wainwright Bank, all branches; Boston Pretzel at Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market East End Building, Boston; Midway Café, including Dyke Night, at 3496 Washington Street Jamaica Plain; Cambridge Women's Center at 46 Pleasant Street Cambridge; Quick Page at 48 Winter St, Boston; and Northampton's Pride & Joy at 20 Crafts Ave, Northampton. These drop-off points enable community members to donate their phones while going about their daily business with a minimum of effort. Cell phones can be in any condition and only the handset and battery are needed.

"As we have a source to provide emergency 911 phones to the victims we work with, we have joined with a program called the Shelter Alliance which pays us $2-$20 per phone we collect. Given the tight economy, this project has the potential to replace much-needed funds that have been cut so we may continue our current programs. While this will be an ongoing effort, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we will be conducting a concerted and highly visible drive to collect at least 1000 phones." says Beth Leventhal, Executive Director of The Network/La Red.

"This is a win-win situation for everyone- our organization, cell phone users, and the environment, because we are providing a way for folks to recycle their old cell phones and not fill up landfills." says Gunner Scott, Organizer/Outreach Coordinator of The Network/La Red.

According a to a study released in 2002 by the national environmental research organization INFORM, "Cell phones are typically used for only 18 months before being replaced, and by 2005 about 130 million of these devices, weighing approximately 65,000 tons will be retired annually in the US. Most of them will initially be stored away in closets and drawers, creating a stockpile of about 500 million used phones that will soon enter the waste stream."

The Network/La Red is a grassroots organization focused on ending domestic violence in lesbian, bisexual women's and transgender communities. Current research shows that 25-33% of the LGBT community experience domestic violence and that this battering is equal in severity and frequency to that in heterosexual relationships. To address this community health and safety issue, The Network/La Red provides a hotline 617-423-SAFE v/tty, emergency shelter, advocacy, support groups, court accompaniment, and community education and outreach. They also collaborate in approximately 17 coalitions, caucuses and/or roundtables across Massachusetts to build awareness and intolerance of LGBT domestic violence.

Cell phones can also be mailed to The Network/La Red PO Box 6011, Boston, MA 02114. If you would like more information or to organize a cell phone drive at your work, school, social group, or religious organization please call 617-695-0877 or email
info@tnlr.org.

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Press Release
Date: September 27, 2001
For Immediate Release

Come Out Against Queer Domestic Violence Ribbon Campaign Opening Weekend

The Network/La Red is starting a ribbon campaign to coincide with National Coming Out Day (October 11th) and Domestic Violence Awareness month (October), to bring awareness about domestic violence in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender communities. There will be two opening events, the first will be Thursday, October 11, 2001, 9:30p at Kristen Porter's Dyke Night at the Midway Café in Jamaica Plain. This event will include speaker, Gunner Gurwitch, Organizer/Outreach Coordinator of The Network/La Red. The second will be Sunday, October 14, 2001 4-9p at The Randolph Country Club.

"This is the first Ribbon Campaign in Massachusetts that is specifically about domestic violence in GLBT communities", said Gunner Scott, Organizer/Outreach Coordinator of The Network/La Red. The ribbon pin is a combination of purple and rainbow, an original design created by Gunner Scott. The purple ribbon symbolizes support for victims and survivors and an end to domestic violence. The rainbow ribbon symbolizes the diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities (GLBT). "By using two universal symbols, we hope not only to bring awareness and understanding about this issue, but that GLBT folks will talk about domestic violence and how it affects our communities", said Executive Director, Beth Leventhal.

1 in 4 GLBT people are battered by a partner. Yet this is an issue that is still in the "closet" for GLBT communities. Domestic violence crosses all social, ethnic, racial, and economic, lines. An individual's size, strength, politics, or personality does not determine whether someone can be battered or a batterer. Many GLBT folks do not know that restraining order laws in Massachusetts apply to GLBT relationships or that there are support services available for those who are being battered.

The Network/La Red was formed in 1989 when a group of formerly battered lesbians came together to address domestic violence in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities in Massachusetts. The Network/La Red offers free services for battered lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender folks. These services include a Hotline 617-423-SAFE, Safe Home program for emergency shelter, Advocacy program, and Organizing/Outreach program. All services are wheelchair, bilingual, and TTY-accessible. ASL interpreters, air filters, and reimbursement for child-care are available as needed.

The Network/La Red has become a national resource and model for battered women's programs, batterer's intervention programs, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender organizations beginning to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender relationships. The Network/La Red take calls from individuals, groups, researchers, and media from all over the United States and around the world seeking support, technical assistance, and information on battering in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender communities.