A Lifeline in Crisis: How a Simple Phone Can Change Everything

For survivors of domestic violence, escaping an abusive situation often means leaving everything behind—home, belongings, and even the ability to reach out for help. In moments of crisis, something as simple as a phone can mean the difference between danger and safety.

Jasmine* and Olivia’s* stories highlight the life-changing impact of having access to a secure phone in their most vulnerable moments.

Jasmine: A Mother’s Call for Safety

The night her partner’s anger turned toward her children, Jasmine knew she had to leave. But walking away meant stepping into the unknown—with no home, no support, and no way to reach help. Carrying only a diaper bag and her two little ones, she found refuge at Shining Light In Darkness. There, she received an emergency phone donated from the 911 Cell Phone Bank.

“The phone was my safety net,” Jasmine shares. “I used it to find a shelter, schedule therapy for my kids, and take the first steps toward rebuilding our lives.”

Now, Jasmine and her children are safe in an emergency housing program. She’s working toward stability, and for the first time in years, her children can sleep peacefully at night.

Olivia: A Lifeline to a New Beginning

For years, Olivia was trapped in an abusive marriage, with every aspect of her life controlled by her husband—including her ability to make a simple phone call. The day she finally found the courage to leave, she had nothing but a small bag of belongings and nowhere to turn.

When an advocate handed her an emergency phone, everything changed.

“It was the first thing that was truly mine,” Olivia recalls. “For the first time in years, I could make a call without fear. That phone helped me get a job, find a place to stay, and start my new life.”

Today, Olivia is thriving. She has a job, a safe home, and a future she never thought possible. “It wasn’t just a phone,” she says. “It was my voice, my independence, my fresh start.”

How You Can Help

Stories like Jasmine’s and Olivia’s are why the 911 Cell Phone Bank exists. By donating an unused phone, unclaimed devices in lost-and-found and property-and-evidence rooms, or older devices your company is no longer using, you can provide a critical lifeline to someone in need. Every device we collect is securely wiped and given to a survivor so they can take their first steps toward safety and independence.

👉 Donate a phone or other electronic device today and make a difference.