By Sophia Ling
A Girl Scout since kindergarten, Carmel High School junior Katie Dunn is working to achieve the organization’s highest honor, the Gold Award.
To reach the goal, she has organized Voices to Victims, a service project to assist victims of domestic violence by collecting used cellphones. For many victims, the phones can be a lifeline in dangerous times and help them make contact with employers for jobs.
The idea came to Dunn earlier this year when her neighbor collected used cellphones for her sister, who was kicked out by an abusive spouse. It reminded Dunn of her fifth-grade Girl Scout trip to The Julian Center to learn about domestic abuse victims. Dunn said she was shaken, realizing that the women and children she was seeing were “in real danger.”
Dunn’s goal is to collect at least 50 cellphones to complete her project.
“I hope people can understand that it’s not always safe at home,” she said.
Dunn has set up a drop box for used phones at the Carmel Clay Public Library, 2140 E. 116th St, and the Carmel Police Dept., 3 Civic Square. People may donate phones, whether they are used or broken, through Jan. 10. Charging cords also are requested, if available.
Dunn will conduct a collection event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Carmel Police Dept. Members of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts who donate that day can earn a patch.
Learn more at voice2victims.weebly.com.
