The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and its Victim’s Assistance Program in collaboration with the Rural Communities Resource Center (RCRC) will be hosting a “TAKE A STAND AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE” cell phone drive dubbed “Operation: Mobile Hope” throughout October. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this is a great opportunity for our communities to show their support and make a difference for a victim of domestic violence and their families.
Ensuring that a victim and family has access to 911 is crucial to their safety throughout a domestic violence case. Many times, a cell phone is broken, service is terminated or a victim may not have owned a cell phone to begin with. A cell phone provides a domestic violence victim with the means of staying in contact with the Victim’s Advocates, District Attorney’s Office, and can truly be a lifeline in an emergency.
Operation: Mobile Hope will give the Yuma County Victim’s Assistance Program and the RCRC the opportunity to offer a deactivated cell phone as a resource to victims in which they can still have access to make 911 calls, keep and return until they are able to purchase their own and in some cases, keep the phone if necessary. Each case is taken into consideration on an individual basis depending on need and urgency.
TAKE A STAND is a call to action meant to bring attention to the issue of domestic violence for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and throughout the year. By taking a stand we intend to remind the community that there are still countless people – victims and survivors, their children and families, their friends and family – impacted by domestic violence. Our stand should continue until society has zero tolerance for domestic violence and until all victims and survivors can be heard.
Phones donated must be DEACTIVATED FROM SERVICE, have corresponding charger, and have all personal content such as photos, contacts etc. deleted. Operation: Mobile Hope begins on Wednesday the 12th and will continue through the end of the month. Drop-off sites are at the following locations: the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, the Rural Communities Resource Center, the Yuma Police Department, the Wray Police Department, Shop-All Superfoods, and the Wray Market.
Questions about Operation: Mobile Hope can be directed to Yuma County Victim’s Assistance Coordinator Ana Baucke by calling 970-332-4806.