DASH is working with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light to be one of the nonprofits to participate in their next energy buy, which will result in our housing facilities running on green, renewable energy resources. This partnership brings together churches and nonprofits throughout the Washington, DC area, many of whom have to supply energy to large, cavernous buildings, who are interested both in saving money as a cohort and in using energy more efficiently.
Read more here.
In our new blog series, Celebrating Our Community, DASH is proud to count among its incredible organizational partners Anahata Grace. Anahata Grace is a volunteer organization of wellness practitioners who provide weekly sessions to our clients in yoga, acupuncture, massage, journal writing, and more. These activities take place in our Wellness Center, a space on the third floor of our Cornerstone housing program funded by Verizon. DASH and its clients were recently featured in the organization’s website.
As a partner in the local campaign for Anahata Grace, DASH clients receive the physical and mental health benefits of alternative mechanisms for healing through yoga and facilitating access to holistic and wellness services at no cost to the individual in need. Communities in need are groups of people who have survived trauma and/or do not have access to wellness services due to economic and location barriers. Anahata Grace is primarily focused on serving at-risk/homeless youth, domestic violence survivors, homeless or sheltered adults, veterans with PTSD and front-line service workers. This video illustrates the impact yoga and wellness services can have on populations in need.
DASH is honored to be among Anahata’s Grace’s partners in Washington, DC. They are one of the reasons we are CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY!
The District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) is joining hands with Local 16 for BALDERDASH Sept. 22 – a night of fun on their beautiful roofdeck (1602 U. St., NW). Local 16 has a longstanding commitment to being a good community partner throughout DC.
This annual BALDERDASH event brings awareness and financial support to the women and children that DASH serves. DASH is DC’s largest innovative safe housing and service provider for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. 100% of the proceeds of this event will benefit the women and children that DASH serves.
With your ticket you will receive a raffle ticket and a wristband, which will provide you with complimentary, delicious Local 16 specialty pizzas of all varieties all night long and exclusive, extended happy hour drink specials from 6-9pm, which include:
$4 premium draft beers,
$4 Local 16 specialty cocktails,
$4 martinis,
$4 rail cocktails, and
$4 house wines
Get your ticket today, and thank you so much to our generous sponsor, Local 16!
DASH is pleased to announce a partnership with NEST-DC, DC’s one of a kind, socially conscious property management, relocation, and design firm. For the first week in August, NEST-DC, under the guidance of Chief Nesters Lisa Wise and Jim Pollack, has generously offered to pick up much needed food donations for the women and children who live at DASH at your doorstep!
NEST-DC believes that the modern dweller is part of a community, and the company commits itself to serving the community through donations, events, and connecting individuals. For more information, or to schedule a pick up or drop off for NEST-DC, contact their main office at 202-540-8038. DASH is grateful to have the support of community partners like NEST. Thank you, NEST!
Featured in the 2011-2012 Catalogue for Philanthropy as "One of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region."
DASH is proud to announce selection for inclusion in the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington 2010-11 issue. A panel of 110 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, and peer non-profit organizations evaluated 270 applications; DASH is one of 70 outstanding nonprofits to be featured this year.
The Catalogue’s mission is to generate visibility and resources for the best community-based nonprofits. According to Barbara Harman, President and Editor of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington, “We know that nonprofits have had another very difficult year, and the economy continues to create challenges: dollars are down and need is up. Individual donors can continue to make a real difference – as they did last year — keeping great organizations afloat during these tough times.”
The Catalogue raised $2.443,000 million in 2009-10, $1.5 million to date in 2010-11 (and counting), and nearly $14.7 million since its inception in 2003.
“Inclusion in the catalogue is really an honor for us,” Peg Hacskaylo, DASH Executive Director said. “It is a sign of approval that tells donors they can invest in us with confidence, because the Catalogue vets its family of nonprofits with great care. We are thrilled to be among the nonprofits chosen to be featured.”
25,000 individuals and hundreds of family foundations will receive copies of the print Catalogue in November, and others will visit the Catalogue website (cfp-dc.org) – the only regional philanthropy site of its kind in the country. It includes a gift registry, gift cards, a section especially for kids, and other great giving options. The website also connects donors with volunteer opportunities, events, news, videos, and more.
“Charities were selected for excellence, cost-effectiveness, and impact” Harman said. “These are certainly among the best community-based nonprofits in the Washington region.”
Click here to go to the Catalogue.
DASH HAPPY HOUR
Thursday, June 9th, 6-10pm
On Thursday, June 9th, from 6:00-10:00pm, Bartending 4 Change will serve it up for DASH at the Stoney’s Bar and Grill at 1433 P. St. NW. Join the DASH team and our wonderful friends at Bartending 4 Change and Stoney’s to share some great food and drink specials, and to help support the women and children that DASH serves!
There will be an optional $5 donation at the door and all tips earned by the Bartending 4 Change charity bartenders will go directly to DASH. Stoney’s will be offering great drink specials, including Absolut and Bacardi drinks for $4 and bud/bud light for $3, and will extend their happy hour food special for the entire event.
RSVP via facebook or to Dana Arneson.
Thursday, May 26th, the NPR Nationally syndicated Kojo Nnamdi show featured a panel discussion on Nonprofit Organizations and their efforts to stay afloat under the tough economy, while charitable giving is down and many non-profits are struggling to stay afloat. The panel, including Nonprofit Roundtable Executive Director Chuck Bean, commented on the challenges area nonprofit organizations are having meeting increased demand for services while managing with tighter budgets.
“In fiscal year 2010, we served over 600 victims of domestic violence and their children through our housing programs, but we’re unable to serve approximately 530 victims and children. The population we serve is particularly impacted by the economic downturn,” Suzanne Marcus, DASH’s Deputy Director, emailed in to the show.
“Nationally, shelters facing local funding cuts reported an 80 percent rise in women seeking services because of increased abuse due to financial issues and job loss. DASH is relying on our partnerships with other organizations, volunteer support, and cutting back on resources that are already spread thin in order for us to meet that need.” Chuck and the other panelists went on to comment on the problem throughout the show.
DASH is proud to publicly release the new video, “Safe Housing for All“, showing the programs and services offered through the District Alliance for Safe Housing. This moving documentary short introduces DASH’s safe housing programs for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and shows how survivors’ lives are changed by the help, housing, and healing afforded them after escaping the trauma of abuse. Interviews with DASH staff explain the DASH model of providing low-barrier, voluntary services and apartment-style living for individuals and families allowing them to rebuild their lives on their own terms.
Click here to watch the full video.
DASH is celebrating Mother’s Day with a Spring House Warming on Sunday May 15, 2011 from 11am to 1pm at our Cornerstone Residence! Please join us and come have a tour of newest housing program. You can enjoy delicious cupcakes from Tamicakes while learning a little more about DASH!
To help support our residents, please bring a donation of nonperishable food items, household items, or new pillows, and make a contribution to the construction of a playground for our resident kids! We look forward to seeing you there!
RSVP to Sharon Lee for directions at 202/462-3274 or slee@dashdc.wpengine.com.
In an on-air commentary on local NPR affiliate, WAMU, DASH Executive Director Peg Hacskaylo spoke to the need for sustained funding for safe housing and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Making the comparison between life boats and life preservers, Peg points out the benefit of ensuring victims’ long-term survival. Listen to her remarks here.
