Spotlight: Stephanie Piston

The Verizon spotlight shines bright on employee, Stephanie Piston, who has been recognized for her extraordinary merits and volunteer efforts with domestic violence. As a domestic violence survivor, Stephanie uses her story as a tool of hope to reach others who fall victim, and works to educate children and parents on prevention and awareness.

Stephanie contributes to programs such as MADE (Moms and Dads for Education), a coalition of individuals dedicated to having every middle and high school across the country incorporate a curriculum addressing teen abuse and violence. Stephanie has also mentored for 19 years with DeMolay, an organization dedicated to providing young adults with life skills, and a positive, morally sound environment to lead constructive lives, as well as working with the domestic violence shelter, Vera House and Verizon's Shower for the Shelter employee-giving campaign. She has been named Augusts' Face of Hope by the Purple Ribbon Council against Domestic Violence and continues to be a strong advocate for the cause.

After submitting her powerful story to MADE, Stephanie was made an action leader for New York State. MADE's mentality and campaign, Love is Not Abuse, is aimed to educate pre-teens, teenagers, and parents on the signs and sources of abuse plaguing children today. "The MADE curriculum is designed for middle to high school age students," says Stephanie. "It is easy to understand and uses role play to describe a potentially abusive situation. It helps to see the warning signs and gives children empowerment to help them or others if the situation arose, along with the resources to help."

As an advisor and director for DeMolay, Stephanie has given opportunities and experiences to young adults to enhance leadership and responsibility - and to be the best they can be. Stephanie was the first female certified advisor for NY DeMolay, and the first female in NY State to receive the DeMolay International Cross of Honor Award for her contributions. Stephanie has witnessed firsthand "her kids" successes, just like past DeMolay members before them, such as Walt Disney, John Wayne, and Bill Clinton. "My kids are leading productive lives, having families, seeking higher education, some are teachers, some have served their country," says Stephanie. "Every one of them will tell you that their time with DeMolay had a big role in their successes. To know I had a small part in who they are now, that they make a difference in the lives around them; that is the reward."

Stephanie continues her volunteer efforts and advocacy for domestic violence prevention with her own experiences as motivation. "My hope is that if someone sees themselves in me and my story, that they can get the help that they need and get out," says Stephanie. "And that you can have a good life after a bad one".

Verizon would like to thank Stephanie Piston for her exceeding accomplishments and volunteerism, and for using her story for hope and the triumph of others.