Verizon has been a longtime champion of combating domestic abuse. It’s a silent epidemic that affects nearly one in four women, one in nine men and over three million children nationwide.

Recently, the company announced it was teaming with sportscaster James Brown, the host of CBS Network's "The NFL Today" and Showtime's "Inside the NFL," to launch a national campaign to end domestic violence against women and men.

"In bestowing charity, the main consideration should be to help those who will help themselves; to provide part of the means by which those who desire to improve may do so...to assist, but rarely or never to do all," Dale Carnegie once said.

As one of the largest corporate foundations in the country, it is the Verizon Foundation’s mission to extend that philosophy as far and wide as it can. To that end, last year nonprofit groups in New Jersey received more than $3.3 million from the Verizon Foundation. The majority of the funds were received by organizations focused on advancing health care, domestic violence prevention, education and sustainability.

Also, Verizon employees volunteered nearly 64,800 hours to nonprofit groups throughout the Garden State in 2011. To support that effort, the Verizon Foundation by awarding a $750 grant to a nonprofit organization when a Verizon employee volunteers 50 hours or more to the organization during the year.

“Through strategic grants and partnerships with nonprofit organizations across New Jersey, Verizon is using the innovative power of our technology to address critical social issues affecting our communities,” said Dennis M. Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. “We are proud to be a positive force for change for those with the greatest needs.”