ENDGBV and Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City Receive 1,000 Mobile Devices for Survivors

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New York City Partners with T-Mobile: Mayor's Office to End Domestic & Gender-Based Violence and Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City Receive 1,000 Mobile Devices for Survivors

Survivors who receive T-Mobile device have access to discounted mobile network plans

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2021
Contact: : ESeibold@endgbv.nyc.gov; or 646-841-4396 (cell)

New York, NY–The Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City have teamed with T-Mobile US, Inc (NASDAQ: TMUS) to provide survivors of domestic and gender-based violence with free mobile devices. A global leader in consumer mobile and wireless technology, T-Mobile is providing New York City 1,000 mobile devices in-kind valued at approximately $600,000 and is also offering survivors access to discounted mobile network plans. ENDGBV will begin to distribute the mobile devices to survivors through its five, borough Family Justice Centers (FJC's) and community-based service provider network in June 2021.

Survivors who receive a T-Mobile device through the FJC's can walk into any participating T-Mobile retail store in New York City and sign up for a discounted plan. The optional, discounted mobile network plan has several selections including prepaid service of $15/Month with Unlimited Talk, Text and 2G of Data; prepaid service of $25/Month with Unlimited Talk, Text and 5G of Data; and additional prepaid plans starting at $40+ with Unlimited Talk, Text and 10G+ of High-Speed data. The prepaid plans do not require a credit check. Clients have access to technical support for their device in-store as well.

The donated devices are smart phones which give survivors access to video, a bonus feature enabling these individuals to continue to engage in remote services such as counseling sessions and legal consultations through the FJC's and other community-based service providers.

"Survivors need us now more than ever in these extraordinary times," said Cecile Noel, Commissioner, NYC Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. "COVID-19 puts into sharp focus the vulnerabilities that many people in our city face every day, especially gender-based violence survivors; and it highlights the barriers and challenges that we know keep people from seeking help and finding safety. The City is here for survivors during this crisis and beyond, and is excited to partner with T-Mobile to enhance access to technology so that survivors can continue to engage in critical services through the NYC Family Justice Centers and community-based service providers."

"The struggle to stay connected with one another during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a hardship felt around the world, especially for victims of domestic violence," said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor 's Fund to Advance New York City. "This new public-private partnership with T-Mobile will not only provide domestic violence victims a way to stay connected to friends, family, and 24/7 helplines, but will also offer peace of mind during stressful situations that have been exacerbated by the pandemic."

"At T-Mobile, we want to be a force for good in the communities we serve, and that means stepping up to be a part of amazing initiatives like this with ENDGBV and the Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC that get critical connectivity to those who need it the most," said Mike Katz, EVP of T-Mobile Business Group. "The COVID-19 pandemic helped shine a light on many societal gaps and challenges, and we have been ready to step up where we're needed. This important effort will make a big difference for so many and we're glad we can play a role in it."

"Connectivity is essential. All New Yorkers – particularly the most vulnerable among us – deserve the full combination of affordable internet, access to devices, and user-friendly digital services," said New York City Chief Technology Officer John Paul Farmer, "As society continues to grapple with the broad effects of the pandemic, nowhere is this more true or more urgent than for survivors of gender-based violence. In addition to our Design Lab's ongoing collaboration with the ENDGBV team, we're sharing lessons learned from our successful tablet-based connectivity program for 10,000 low-income older adults at NYCHA. We will support the ENDGBV team in every way possible to shrink the digital divide and expand the availability of digital assistance for New Yorkers in their time of need."

This powerful public and private sector collaboration compliments ENDGBV's suite of technological tools, and cybersecurity protection services for survivors. In February, ENDGBV and the Mayor's Fund partnered with NortonLifeLock which donated 2,000 one-year Norton 360 Deluxe licenses for comprehensive cybersecurity with mobile phones, computers and tablets. ENDGBV also works with Cornell Tech and the NYU Tandon School of Engineering to provide survivors with privacy checks-ups for their mobile devices, tablets and computers to help prevent digital abuse and cyberstalking.

Survivors are encouraged to call an FJC to be connected to services including exploring this option.

NYC Family Justice Center, Bronx: 718-508-1220

NYC Family Justice Center, Brooklyn: 718-250-5113

NYC Family Justice Center, Manhattan: 212-602-2800

NYC Family Justice Center, Queens: 718-575-4545

NYC Family Justice Center, Staten Island: 718-697-4300

About the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

The Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) develops policies and programs, provides training and prevention education, conducts research and evaluations, performs community outreach, and operates the New York City Family Justice Centers. We collaborate with City agencies and community stakeholders to ensure access to inclusive services for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence (GBV). GBV can include intimate partner and family violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Read more about the term.

The NYC Family Justice Centers are co‐located multidisciplinary service centers providing vital social services, civil legal, and criminal justice assistance for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and their children–all under one roof. For more information, visit nyc.gov/ENDGBV or visit us on visit us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City

The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working with 50 City agencies and offices, 300 institutional funders, and 100 community-based partners. The Mayor's Fund works in partnership with the business and philanthropic communities to advance initiatives that improve the lives of residents in all five boroughs. It seeks to seed promising, evidence-based models; evaluate the efficacy of new public programs and policies; bring innovative solutions to scale; and respond to the emerging needs of the city by building public-private partnerships. First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray is chair of the Mayor's Fund Board of Directors. In addition, the Mayor's Fund has an Advisory Board of prominent civic and business leaders to advise and assist the Board of Directors. Follow the Mayor's Fund @NYCMayorsFund on Twitter and subscribe to their newsletter.

About T-Mobile US, Inc.

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.(NASDAQ: TMUS) is America's supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile's customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. For more information please visit: http://www.t-mobile.com.