Recognizing that one phone call could save a life, PSECU, Pennsylvania’s largest credit union, recently donated a collection of packaged, unused BlackBerry devices to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). The 48 mobile devices, valued at more than $1,500, will be repurposed by PCADV and distributed to support its programming needs.
“At PSECU, we’re focused on always providing our more than 450,000 members with the best quality products and services possible. Staying at the forefront of technological advancements is an important part of this commitment, so we’re continually updating and replacing our resources and infrastructure,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “While the existing BlackBerry devices we had purchased are no longer useful to our organization, we know that they’d be valuable tools for many, providing an important link to 9-1-1 services that could ultimately save lives. We’re grateful to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence for helping us place the devices with the individuals who will benefit most from them.”
Throughout its nearly 85-year history, PSECU has focused on helping Pennsylvanians achieve a better life. This includes working with local organizations, like PCADV, that strive to reduce or eliminate detrimental societal issues like domestic violence.
PCADV’s 59 community-based programs and statewide office are joined in a coalition, acting hand-in-hand on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children to provide services and support so those in need can find safety, obtain justice, and build new lives free of abuse. In 2017, PCADV’s programming served nearly 90,000 victims of domestic violence and their children.
“The PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence is grateful for PSECU’s donation of phones. We plan to offer these life-saving devices to our member programs and survivors,” said PCADV’s CEO Susan Higginbotham. “With an increase in mobile access and services in communities, survivors can use donated phones when in a life-threatening emergency, and staff and volunteers at the domestic violence programs can use phones when in the field.”
The mobile devices that PSECU donated will be distributed, as needed, to participants of PCADV programs on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We’re also aware that 99 percent of domestic violence situations include economic abuse, which can leave a victim with few to no resources to free themselves,” added Smith. “As a credit union - a financial cooperative – we’re focused on helping people find financial success. We hope that through use of these mobile devices, victims can begin building a safe and solid financial foundation.”
PSECU President Greg Smith stands with the 48 unused Blackberry devices the credit union donated to
the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence to distribute for their programming needs.