February 25, 2008
Community Voice Mail Receives National Philanthropy Award
CECP Directors Nonprofit Excellence Award highlights Cisco Partnership
Seattle, WA, February 25, 2008 – Community Voice Mail today announced it is the recipient of the prestigious Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Directors Nonprofit Excellence Award on National Corporate Philanthropy Day in New York. The national nonprofit is being recognized for its exceptional long-standing partnership with Cisco and the Cisco Foundation, who nominated it for the award. The partnership is being honored as an excellent example of how a nonprofit organization and global corporation can come together and have a significant impact on major social issues of homelessness and the technology/telecommunications gap that exists for the poor.
CECP, co-founded by Paul Newman and Ken Derr in 2000, is the only international forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons pursuing a mission exclusively focused on corporate philanthropy. Over 300 CEOs, Chairpersons and corporate community relations representatives from across the country attend the CECP Excellence Awards in New York. Awards are presented annually to two companies who are leaders in corporate philanthropy and one nonprofit whose partnership with a corporation exemplifies a successful alignment of both parties’ missions. All three award winners participate in the closing bell ceremonies at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on National Corporate Philanthropy Day.
Community Voice Mail’s five-year partnership with Cisco includes a cash investment, donated telecommunications equipment and software and technical expertise from its employees. Jennifer Brandon, Community Voice Mail’s Executive Director, explains, “With the depth and breadth of Cisco’s contribution, we have been able to thrive instead of just survive and the result has been better service to more people.” Over the next three years, it will double the number of people it serves, revolutionize the distribution of critical information and resources to these people, and lead the national discussion on the need for basic telecommunications for the homeless.
Cisco Foundation’s Executive Director, Michael Yutrenka, describes the partnership with Community Voice Mail as “the most extensive investment of Cisco corporate resources ever extended to a nonprofit organization, resulting in tremendous process improvements and increased service offerings—really an extraordinary use of our core competence. We are extremely pleased with CECP’s recognition of CVM’s strategic partnership efforts in helping to improve the lives of individuals and communities by partnering with and leveraging Cisco technology expertise.”
Founded in 1993, Community Voice Mail serves over 41,000 people annually by partnering with over 2,100 social service organizations in 420 municipalities in 41 cities across the U.S. It estimates that nearly 70% of Community Voice Mail clients are able to achieve at least one of their goals like finding a job or housing. Clients use their voice mail numbers as a reliable and confidential way to communicate with prospective employers, landlords, health care providers, case managers, social service staff, and family members.
Community Voice Mail is the only nonprofit organization in the United States that has created, replicated, and sustained a nationwide voice mail program dedicated to assisting people in crisis and transition in their efforts to become self-sufficient. It is the leader in applying telecommunications tools to facilitate both personal change in individual’s lives and systemic change in how health and human services systems serve people in need. Community Voice Mail's mission is to empower people in crisis and transition by distributing free, 24-hour, personalized telecommunications access nationwide - directly linking people to jobs, housing and stability. For further information visit their web site at www.cvm.org.
Contact:
Steve Albertson
New Initiatives Director
Community Voice Mail National Office
(206) 441-7872, x190
salbertson@cvm.org
Development Director
Community Voice Mail National Office
(206) 441-7872, x145
Click here for more information about the CECP award, including media contacts and a FAQ.
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