Do More 24 is THIS THURSDAY! Check out our top 11 reasons you should donate to DASH to give where you live and then bookmark our Do More 24 page!

1. A donation to DASH will help ensure that no one has to choose between living in an abusive home and living on the street.
2. DASH has a unique model and innovative mission. We are “low barrier” meaning we don’t screen out survivors based on their drug use or mental health status. Our mission is to provide safe housing for those who need it, it’s that simple.
3. DASH is the District’s largest dedicated housing provider for survivors of domestic violence and their children.  In 2013, DASH safely housed 225 individuals in our programs, providing over 80,000 “safe nights” for victims away from the threat of violence.
4. At DASH we work hard to make sure that survivors have a place to call home, not just a shelter. Each of the 60 families we work with has their own apartment where they can live safely and independently and are connected to a range of community resources to help them move toward long-term or permanent housing.
5. DASH is an award winning organization!  Most recently we received the Mary Byron’s Celebrating Solutions Award for our innovative approach to safe housing.
6. DASH allows survivors and their families to reside with us for up to two years. While most shelters provide housing for only 30 days, DASH opens doors for a significantly longer time to ensure that our residents are ready to move out on their own terms.
7. At DASH we don’t just serve the adults, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of the whole family through our Children’s Program with parenting classes,  family movie nights, and art group.
8. DASH educates policy makers and service providers on principles and best practices of successfully assisting survivors of domestic violence in recognizing that they are empowered and whole
9. DASH is committed to holistic healing. We understand that everyone heals on their own time, in their own way so we strive to provide a diversity of options for our residents including acupuncture, healing touch, animal therapy, cooking classes and gardening.
10. At DASH we have a weekly yoga class for our youngest toddler residents. Three-year olds doing yoga, enough said.
11. A little goes a long way! Any donation can benefit a survivor of domestic violence and their family.

Click HERE to donate on Thursday!

Tayler Esherick is a rising senior at the University of Maryland. She started at DASH volunteering with Art Group and has continued to work with DASH as a summer front office volunteer. 

My first visit to Cornerstone was through a Women’s Leadership course I took at the University of Maryland. Our Professor partnered with DASH to discuss domestic violence and the characteristics of a low-barrier shelter. First, my classmates and I talked to DASH professionals while in the classroom. Then, we came to Cornerstone and talked with some of the residents as well as the staff. My experience at DASH made me want to get more involved, so I started volunteering in the Children’s Art Group.

I have always enjoyed working with children and was very excited to work with the kids of DASH. I absolutely loved volunteering for art group, all of the children were excited about the art projects, and tried their best to create a masterpiece each week. I believe that art is a great way to creatively express yourself which has been extremely beneficial for these children. One of the best parts about art group is that there is a new and exciting activity each week for the kids to engage in so there is never a dull moment. At the end of the year, the children put on an art show where they pick their favorite pieces which are framed, and displayed in the hallways. During the art show the children show our guests and donors all the art work and discuss how each piece was made. My favorite part of volunteering for DASH is interacting with the children and their parents. I love being able to give the children an opportunity for fun outside of the school day and their apartment.

Why should you choose DASH on June 19^th for Do More 24?

DASH has a very unique mission that I believe is extremely effective when it comes to helping their residents. The low barrier housing model that they use puts trust in the residents and gives them responsibilities that they might not have in another shelter. DASH also stresses this idea of re-centering, where you address problems by figuring out how you, your family, or any other relationship has become unbalanced. Re-centering can help survivors bring themselves back to equilibrium of mind and body. Overall, I believe DASH is a great place for volunteers who want an enriching experience.

Donate to DASH for Do More 24, a 24 hour online giving campaign run by the United Way of the National Capital Area. Click here for more information.

Grant from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation

We are excited to announce that we recently received our first grant from the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation! The contribution of 25,000 will be used to support our safe housing programs and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families.

Founded in 1944 by Washington Post publisher Eugene Meyer and his wife, author and social activist Agnes Ernst Meyer, the Meyer Foundation identifies and invests in visionary leaders and effective community-based nonprofit organizations that are working to create lasting improvements in the lives of low-income people in the Washington, DC metropolitan region, and works to strengthen the region’s nonprofit sector as a vital and respected partner in meeting community needs.

“It’s an honor for DASH to be accepted as a first-time grantee of the Meyer Foundation” said Peg Hacskaylo, Executive Director of DASH. “This support is not only generous but also critical as it funds general operations. We appreciate the Meyer Foundation’s dedication to nonprofits through this type of support, which will allow DASH to continue its innovative mission to provide safe housing and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families in Washington, DC.”

We were one of twenty-eight organizations to receive a grant through the Meyer Foundation’s Healthy Communities program area, which supports organizations that provide healthcare and other essential services and advocacy organizations working to advance policy changes that will lead to lasting improvements in the lives of low-income people throughout the Washington, region.

Thank you so much Meyer Foundation!

Saturday, May 24th DASH hosted our second Spa Day! After months of preparation it was a day of rest and rejuvenation complete with snacks, childcare, bonding and spativities.

The day was a flurry of activity. One of our lovely front desk volunteers, Cynthia, is also a licensed cosmetologist. She spent her time talking to groups of residents about their skin types and going through basic skin care techniques. At the end of the day she provided full facials for two lucky women! A definite highlight of the afternoon was seeing a mother-daughter duo get facials together.

While Cynthia was was doing facials, Chicara and her team from Chicara’s Dream Salon (of Baltimore) were doing hair. They talked to residents about their hair types, gave tips and even styled and cut hair. While they were scheduled to stay until 6pm, they ended up staying until past 9pm so as to not leave anyone out. As one of the advocates states, “I felt she [Chicara] went above and beyond to meet each residents desires, each resident got exactly what she wanted. She even stayed an extra three hours to make sure everyone got serviced!”

In the other room Michaela, a recent DASH intern, and Princess were doing nails. They were amazing! While neither is professionally trained, no one could tell. As one resident said, “they were using the latest designs which takes a lot of extra effort.” They had every color imaginable plus gems and glitter.

Upstairs, Margaret, our new massage volunteer, was giving massages to grateful residents. We are so excited to have Margaret come in on a regular basis from now on as massage not only relaxes and soothes muscles, it also helps with anxiety, headaches and a host of other serious issues. Residents came downstairs looking more relaxed and peaceful after just 15 minutes of work. We are so thankful to all the volunteers who made this Saturday a success!

We had cupcakes donated by Georgetown Cupcakes!

The best part of the day was not the spa treatments or the cupcakes, though they were wonderful. It was the community that grew and the conversations that were had among the residents, volunteers and staff. During the six hours waiting to get hair done and drinking cucumber water, residents made new friendships, gossiped and sang along to Beyonce. At DASH we are not just a housing program, we are place for survivors to heal and grow on their own terms. Spa day showed us how we can heal and grow as a community.