On April 2nd DASH celebrated its’ 4th annual Allies in Change Awards Luncheon. Every year DASH takes a day to honor DC’s safe housing champions and recognize community partners who make a difference in the lives of women and children facing homelessness due to domestic violence. It takes the efforts of a community of organizations and individuals to address homelessness and domestic violence as they are multi-faceted issues. We at DASH are so thankful for the community of hardworking, innovative advocates that motivate us as an organization to do better every day.
This year we were once again joined by Mistress of Ceremonies Erika Gonzalez, Anchor for NBC News Channel 4, and for the first time, special guest speaker Yvette Cade. Yvette Cade, a survivor of abuse and domestic violence activist, spoke about her personal struggle with an abusive partner as well as the importance of options for domestic violence survivors. Yvette described her experience through a woman who has been living with her family in a car for six months, which unfortunately is a reality for many survivors. According to the census done by The National Network against Domestic Violence, in the space of one day in DC in 2013 there were 40 unmet requests for housing from survivors of domestic violence; survivors are then forced to choose between going back to their abuser and living in their cars. Yvette’s sincere, touching speech was a call to action. No one should have to choose between abuse and homelessness.
Yesterday we honored individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to support survivors of domestic violence and their families. For more information about specific awardees please click here. DASH was also honored to receive the Celebrating Solutions Award from the Mary Byron Project during the event as well. We look forward to another year breaking barriers and providing access to safe housing and services for survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives on their own terms.
In 2013, DASH safely housed 225 individuals (94 women and 131 children) in our programs, providing over 80,000 “safe nights” for victims away from the threat of violence.
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