DomesticShelters.org has announced the winners of the 2022 Purple Ribbon Awards across 28 categories, as judged by a national panel of respected professionals from the domestic violence field. 

DASH has been awarded FOUR honors!

The Purple Ribbon Awards is dedicated to ensuring all heroic efforts to help victims of domestic violence receive acknowledgment and applause.  

 

Program/Shelter of the Year  

Cornerstone  

When DASH was founded in 2006, there were fewer than 50 beds for survivors in DC, just three years after opening, DASH tripled this number. Cornerstone provides low-barrier housing and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families from underserved communities, allowing them to rebuild their lives on their own terms. 

Employee of the Year 

Kandice Louis, Senior Director, Programs and Yeabsira Mehari, Senior Director, DISC   

Kandice & Yeabsira have worked in tandem to shepherd a passionate, reliable program for #DV survivors. They are two outstanding visionary leaders who have moved DASH to the next level, and together, they are transforming systems for survivors and creating a greater collective of care.   

Outstanding Youth Initiative of the Year  

Right to Dream  

DASH launched its Right to Dream scattered site housing program to support transitioning aged-youth (18-24) who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Right to Dream is the first program of its kind in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas, expanding the availability of youth-friendly, survivor-focused, long-term transitional housing and support services.  

Outstanding Advocate Training Program  

DASH Academy 

DASH provides housing and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. Providing top-quality trauma-informed services requires ongoing training and exposure to cutting-edge techniques. The DASH Academy is our capacity-building program for Coaches—front-line staff. For the last year, it has offered trainings twice a month with top-tier presenters who deliver cutting-edge content. The Academy is raising the bar for staff development in the domestic violence field.  

   

This is an incredible honor, and we are humbled but not surprised, because we all know the caliber of DASH’s programs and the inspiring nature of its staff. Together, the awards we have received speak volumes of the leadership that exists not in one program or department, but in every single person at DASH. – Pierre Berastaín, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, DASH

 A virtual celebration will be hosted by DomesticShelters.org on September 21, 2022 to honor this year’s Purple Ribbon awardees and $30,000 worth of grants will be awarded to stand-out recipients. The celebration will follow the Purple Ribbon Awards Inspire Webinar, a free-to-attend virtual conference where winners will tell their success stories, share advice for other domestic violence professionals and celebrate the work being done to help victims and survivors of abuse.  

 Registration to attend the Inspire Webinar and/or Purple Ribbon Awards Celebration is now open at www.purpleribbonawards.org.  

Donovan Trott, Manager, Development & Communications