Verizon Wireless Call Center program to aid Crisis Ministries

The Verizon Wireless Call Center in North Charleston has unveiled a new program to benefit Crisis Ministries.

Over the next year, Verizon Wireless will make a monetary gift to Crisis Ministries for every new employee hired at the call center. Executives expect to hire several new employees this year, and the matching funds will go directly toward the shelter's employment services. "We have benefited greatly from the productive, engaged and enthusiastic workforce for which Charleston is famous," said Linda Broderick, call center director.

"By partnering with Crisis Ministries' employment services, we believe we can provide tangible help for people who want to achieve full employment," she said. "We believe we are a great place to work, and we want to help others find their own great places to work."

Broderick noted that in April, Verizon Wireless Call Center hired 28 new employees, and that a matching contribution will be delivered to Crisis Ministries for each.

Employment services have been developed to help guests of Crisis Ministries gain the skills needed for full employment.

An on-site employment specialist works with clients to prepare them for interviews, practice employment etiquette, offer financial management tools and computer and literacy training.

For many clients, the training provides access to better jobs, which provide the wages they need to leave the shelter.

"We are very grateful for Verizon Wireless's initiative of support toward our employment services," said Stacey Denaux, Crisis Ministries executive director. "Verizon Wireless not only wants the best for their employees but wants to help give our clients opportunities to find good jobs. Their support of our employment services will help prepare our clients for the workforce."

Verizon Wireless offers a compensation and benefits package that includes health care coverage that begins on the first day of employment, participation in the company's 401(k) program with dollar-for-dollar match up to 6 percent of employee salary contributions, profit sharing, tuition assistance, annual bonuses, lactation rooms and an on-site fitness center.

Nationally, the company has been named one of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for seven years in a row and has been named by Health Magazine as one of 10 U.S. employers to best help women balance their professional and personal responsibilities.

Last month, for the seventh consecutive year, Verizon was named one of the nation's Top 100 companies by Training magazine for its continued commitment to employee development and for connecting its training programs to business objectives.