Spotlight on Allies in Change Awardees: Dr. Kathleen Maloy and Heather Burns

On March 28th, DASH will hold its Allies in Change luncheon, honoring individuals who have supported and amplified the organization’s work to provide relief to survivors of domestic and sexual violence,through emergency and long-term safe housing, and innovative homelessness prevention services. We are doing a series of interviews of our awardees beforehand to share a bit more about them. This blog focuses on Dr. Kathleen Maloy and Heather Burns of the Live to Give Charitable Trust Fund, a philanthropic endeavor established to make strategic and catalytic gifts that support community oriented efforts focused on promoting social justice, equity and human rights. Dr. Maloy speaks to us here on behalf of Live to Give. Remember to buy your tickets to the luncheon here!

Dr. Kathleen Maloy and Heather Burns, Live to Give Charitable Trust Fund

“We learned about DASH from our good friend Jane Pittman who prepared a short film for DASH.  We were so impressed during our conversation with Peg Hacskaylo, DASH founder and ED, about the DASH philosophy and programs to support women and their families leaving domestic violence.  This inspired us to contribute support to DASH and to the building that can provide a safe and healing haven for women and their families.

Both Heather and I grew up in New England but have lived in DC for last two decades.  We both are committed to supporting organization that contribute to creating healthier communities for vulnerable populations, especially women and their families.

We think that services like the ones that DASH offers, i.e., services that support that availability of safe and peaceful spaces where women and their families can start to recover from the experiences of domestic violence at their own pace and in accordance with their own needs are very important.  Too often the deep impact of experiencing domestic violence is not understood.

Heather and Kathleen at Habitat for Humanity build in Egypt, 2010

Because of the prevalence of domestic violence, as well as the frequency of insecurity and uncertainty for women and their families, it is so important to expand programs and services that secure safety and peace for women and their families.  The long-lasting impact on children mean that these program and services are key to securing the future for our country.

We love DASH and the principles that DASH stands for.”

Dr. Kathleen Maloy has worked for 30 years to improve the lives of low-income and vulnerable populations by engaging in research, policy, and advocacy focused on health equity and social justice. Her expertise include Medicaid, Medicare, healthcare financing reform, state health and mental health policy, intersection of health and public health policy, and the social determinants of health.

Heather Burns recently retired as the Senior Vice President with Booze Allen Hamilton, having successfully led the firm’s health care business. Since leaving Booze Allen, Heather and partner Kathleen Maloy have created the Live To Give Charitable Trust Fund. She is also the Executive Producer of In Your Hands, a film about two people’s journey to reintegrate into society after incarceration.

Thank you, Live to Give!

Spotlight on Allies in Change Awardees: Councilmember Jim Graham

On March 28th, DASH will celebrate 5 years as an organization and honor key individuals who have dedicated their service to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who seek safe, affordable housing through our work. We are pleased to be honoring DC Councilmember Jim Graham, interviewed here. Remember to buy tickets to our luncheon!

DC Councilmember Jim Graham

“I have had a strong connection with DASH in that we maintain a similar mission – to provide services and resources to some of the district’s most vulnerable residents.  My office has a long-standing history of introducing and co-sponsoring legislation that both raises awareness and aims to help survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.  I’ve introduced and co-sponsored such legislation as the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund Establishment Act of 2005, the Latino Community Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Recognition Resolution of 2007, the Emergency Care for Sexual Assault Victims Act of 2008, and the Child Abuse Prevention Month Recognition Resolution of 2011, among a handful of other bills and resolutions geared towards raising awareness and helping survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and their families.

I was born in Wishaw, Scotland, and, with my parents, emigrated to Hyattsville, MD. And then to Detroit.  I received my Masters of Law at Georgetown University, and later became an adjunct professor for the Georgetown University Law Center.  I have been licensed to practice law in the District for 33 years, have held a seat on the DC City Council for 14 years, and currently reside in Adams Morgan.

Following are some ideas for improving services for domestic violence survivors in the city:

  • Dedicate more city funds to long-term housing options (transitional housing)
  • Push for more statewide synergies between law enforcement agencies, health care providers, educational institutions, courts, and advocacy groups.
  • Ensure that advocates are adequately trained to meet the quality of services necessary to help survivors of domestic & sexual abuse, as well as their families. “

We are honored to work with Councilmember Graham and to be giving him an award at our luncheon. For more than three decades, Jim Graham has been diligent and focused in his various roles as legislator, activist, and health care provider. In 2010, he was elected to his fourth term as Councilmember for Ward 1 with 81.34% of the vote in the general election.

In his service as Councilmember, Mr. Graham makes constituent services a priority, personally responding to emails and telephone calls he receives from those he represents. He is motivated by a desire to support those who face the greatest challenges within the Ward while working hard for new development.  Housing and retail have significantly grown in Ward One during his tenure – indeed many parts of Ward One have been transformed – though the Ward remains the most ethnically and economically diverse area in the city.

Born to parents who lacked a high school diploma and immigrating to the DC area when he was 8, Mr. Graham can relate to the challenges facing those who must rely on government support. He brings this important perspective to bear as Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, which is responsible for matters concerning welfare, social services, certain youth affairs, and disability services, as well as alcohol regulation. In his first months as Chairperson, Mr. Graham successfully fought to avoid massive cuts to homeless services and other key programs that service DC’s most vulnerable residents.

Mr. Graham was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University, and supervising instructor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. He has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar in good standing since 1973. Mr. Graham is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Supreme Court.  A graduate of Michigan State University, Mr. Graham received a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School and an L.L.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Mr. Graham currently chairs the Committee on Human Services, and serves on the following committees:

Spotlight on Allies in Change Awardees: Julie Hamre

On March 28th, DASH will be celebrating its five years and the people without whom our work would not be possible. We wanted our community to get to know them better before the event itself, so we are doing a series of interviews with the awardees ahead of time. Buy tickets to the luncheon here and share with friends.

Our first feature is on Julie Hamre.

Ms. Hamre provides accounting and financial services for several nonprofit organizations, including the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), the association of law school and legal employer professionals concerned with legal career development, and its associated foundation.  For twelve years she was the Deputy Director of NALP and became financial manager when she chose to reduce her hours to part-time status in order to pursue her volunteer activities.  She also works with the Music Center at Strathmore, the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, Shaw Community Ministries, and the District Alliance for Safe Housing.  Prior to joining NALP in 1989, she served as the legal assistant manger and recruitment administrator at two major Washington law firms.  She is a co-author of The Legal Assistant’s Handbook, published by the Bureau of National Affairs.

Julie Hamre

“About two years ago, a dear friend (the ED of a program for homeless/low income women) told me that DASH was looking for a new bookkeeper,” explains Ms. Hamre.  “She and Peg had met through the Leadership Washington program.  I provide accounting services to a number of nonprofits in the city, most of them small and none that can afford a CPA on staff.  I offered to fill in for a short time on a pro bono basis while Peg and the board decided what kind of staffing they needed and could afford.  I was quickly impressed with Peg and the program and could see that they are fulfilling a great need.  Before we knew it, two years had gone by and the decision has now been made to change my status to a regular contractor.

I bring to DASH 35 years of experience as both staff and as a board member in a broad range of nonprofit settings and significant experience in governance, financial, and accounting practices in small nonprofits.  Many small organizations, particularly start-ups, are weak in administrative practices because they are (understandably!) too busy providing the services they were set up to offer to focus on governance, and few people are interested in administration.  But those vital services don’t get provided if payroll is not processed, if donations are not handled properly, or if audits are mishandled.  So it’s been my goal to provide those unexciting but nonetheless vital behind-the-scenes functions in a way that enhances the mission of the organization.”

Thank you Julie, for your incredible work in service of DC’s most vulnerable residents, on behalf of DASH!

Spotlight on our Staff: LaToya Young

LaToya Young, DASH Housing Resource and Training Manager

Since 2007, LaToya Young has worked as the Housing Resource & Training Manager at the District Alliance for Safe Housing in Washington, DC. A native Washingtonian, she works with survivors and service providers – some people coming for assistance directly from the street, some who are referred to DASH. She also works with DASH’s innovative program, the Empowerment Project, where she connects with landlords and realtors to help them understand domestic violence and consider partnering with DASH in locating affordable, safe housing for clients. Additionally, she leads a host of different kinds of trainings for DASH.

Young works with all new domestic violence advocates in the District through the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She teaches these newcomers about the local and federal protections that survivors have under the Violence Against Women Act, and helps new advocates get acclimated to the work and the field. Through DASH, she also leads a DV 101 class on the barriers that domestic violence survivors face, and how individuals and communities can support them. DASH and the Housing Resource Center also point housing programs and staff to Young’s trainings, showing people what is available for survivors and pointing out emerging options.

Interally, she trains all DASH staff on housing resources and process. People know of Young and DASH’s work through community outreach and education, as she and other staff regularly attend a host of community meetings. There have also been a lot of referrals to lead service providers to Young. Requests for training are also made through the DASH website. “People are fascinated by how DASH works, and want to learn more,” says Young.

But what makes DASH so different in terms of its community work to address domestic violence? “It is really the culture,” Young explains. “We have few barriers – really none – for survivors interested in accessing our services. We allow survivors to be self-governing. We know that when given the chance, these clients can make good decisions, and are not interested in taking that power away from them. Power was already taken from them in the abuse, and we don’t want to do that again as an organization.”
Before coming to DASH, Young worked for three years at a “Housing First” organization, helping chronically mentally ill people to secure permanent housing. It gave her the expertise she is currently able to use in her work with DASH. She is very passionate about her work with survivors.

“What I also love about DASH is that while we are new in the field of dv prevention, we are very open to learning from and helping others in the movement and the field,” Young shares. “We are also committed to learning from survivors and working with them to help break the cycle of violence and create healthy lives. We are unique in how we as a staff come to understand social and economic justice, and how we commit, as a staff, to learning and growing.”

Contact DASH for more information on participating in one of Ms. Young’s trainings.

Spotlight on Our Supporters: MOI

DASH is grateful for its network of supporters, and will be featuring interviews with those companies, foundations and businesses. Today, the spotlight is on MOI, a full service furniture dealership, and an interview with Jennifer Ives.

1. How did MOI first find out about DASH and how did you decide to become such a strong corporate partner?

We first learned about DASH from a previous team member, Carolyn Franco. Carolyn and I discussed doing an Art show to raise funds for DASH and to show off our industry artistic talents. MOI has always been involved in the community. This year we are moving to a more structured Corporate Social Responsibility.

2. What has it been like working with DASH so far?

It’s been wonderful. MOI and DASH have built a strong relationship. The passion that the team at DASH have for the mission has driven engagement from MOI’s team – the grass roots enthusiasm has been shown through the gifts and donations we were able to collect during the holidays.

3. Does MOI have a history of other community partnerships?

Yes, through both financial and in-kind donations.  We also have a history of employees donating their time and effort through collective ventures like the Real Estate game for JDRF and Habitat for Humanity.  We frequently team our efforts with manufacturing partners for donations.

4. What were some of the values you wanted to bring from your company in this partnership?

MOI’s core values expressed with our mission statement; Agility, Accountability, Growth, Excellence, and Commitment. We believe DASH supports and drives these for their clients, making it a natural partnership.

5. What would you like DASH residents to experience when they come to stay?

We would like the new DASH residents to feel safety, peace of mind and hope for the future.
6. What would you hope other businesses and corporations would do to invest in safe housing for the District?
MOI hopes for awareness followed by action.
7. What are you looking forward to in your relationship with DASH coming up?

We are looking forward to building awareness and support for the cause of safe housing and safe lives. We are also looking forward to increased exposure for MOI through this partnership.

Thank you so much, MOI! DASH appreciates you!

Freddie Mac Generously Supports DASH’s Empowerment Project!

DASH is honored and grateful to be a grantee of Freddie Mac in the coming program year. Freddie Mac, also known as Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), is a public government sponsored enterprise (GSE), headquartered in Tysons Corner. It was created in 1970 to expand the secondary market for mortgages in the US. This secondary mortgage market increases the supply of money available for mortgage lending and increases the money available for new home purchases.

With its dedication to community programs and affordable housing, Freddie Mac has partnered with DASH in 2012 on a $125,000 grant initiative supporting our scattered-site Empowerment Project. Participants in the project are able to sign an apartment lease that meets their familial, financial and safety needs. DASH provides the rental subsidy along with intensive support services and resources that enable the woman to become economically independent over the course of two years. This level of support allows DASH to increase the project to house an additional 10 families and help women to develop the tools to be fully financially supportive of their families and to develop real skills that ensure their economic independence.

The outcome of this grant will be that the women and their children served will have exited homelessness, secured stable homes, and be prepared to retain permanent housing through rental assistance, supportive services, and intensive education and advocacy around establishing economic self-sufficiency.
DASH partners with Wider Opportunities for Women in this work (link), an organization that helps women learn to earn, with programs emphasizing literacy, technical and nontraditional skills, the welfare-to-work transition, career development, and retirement security. Since 1964, WOW has trained more than 10,000 women for well-paid work in the DC area.

We are honored to have such generous, visionary partners in the important work to help survivors of sexual and domestic violence secure safe, long-term housing and live free from violence. We believe that DASH is a visionary organization that takes a holistic approach to serving survivors. Through research and listening we have developed a number of proven best practices we share with other organizations addressing domestic violence and homelessness. Without our corporate and organizational partners we would not be able to have the lasting impact that we do.

For more information or to pursue corporate sponsorship of the Empowerment Project, contact Peg Hacskaylo at 202/462-3274 x110.

Thank You from DASH!

DASH wants to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated to our gift drive this holiday season.  Due to the incredibly generous donations we received from individual donors, groups, and organizations throughout the DC region, we were able to provide gifts to the over 50  women and 70 children in our housing programs who would otherwise receive nothing during the holiday season.

On Thursday, we held our first annual DASH Holiday Store (complete with a gift wrapping station) with all of the generous donations we received, enabling the women in our program to come and “shop” and wrap gifts for their children and pick up the gift cards and gift bags for themselves.

It was a truly wonderful day at DASH.  Our residents and staff were so thankful and amazed by the generosity of all of our community partners whose donations made it all possible.  Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Key School, TD Bank, Metropolitan Police Department; Victoria’s Secret, United Way-National Capital Area, DuPont Governmental Affairs Office, Planned Parenthood Federation of America,  The Red Derby, MOII, The Clearing Inc., Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Park Road Community Church, Bank of America Women’s LEAD Group, Washington Business Journal,  Gifts for the Homeless, Women’s Law Society, Christian Law Society, Sports and Entertainment Law Society of UDC Law School, Hoppmann Audio Visual, Marriott Hotels, Kettler Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, andour many generous individual donors.

We wish everyone a very happy holiday season and thank you all for your continued support!

DASH Gets a Mention on MSNBC’s Morning Rundown by Celinda Lake

Celinda Lake

DASH was honored to be mentioned in a “shameless plug” Wednesday by leading Democratic political strategist/pollster Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners. At the end of a segment on the upcoming election and concerns for the Democrats, payroll tax debate and the latest on Newt Gingrich, Celinda told viewers to look up the District Alliance for Safe Housing for its work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. You can see the footage here at the eight-minute mark. Thank you so much Celinda! We are honored to have your support. Follow Celinda on Twitter @Celindalake.

DASH in City Paper Giving Guide

Today the Washington City Paper released its giving guide, featuring DASH as one of the 70 charities to give to this season. The City Paper has made an effort to feature the best smaller organizations in DC, and “look under the hood” to find the community organizations that are working to improve conditions for its residents under the radar. The City Paper partnered with the Catalogue of Philanthropy, which also featured DASH as one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington Region in the 2011-2012 edition.

We are honored to be a part of this piece, and hope community members across the District will consider DASH in their holiday giving.

DASH Recently Cited in HUD Paper

DASH is proud to report that we were recently cited in a paper from HUD about what public housing authorities across the U.S. are doing to address domestic violence. The paper, found here, notes programs and strategies in a number of different regions. The DC Public Housing Authority was mentioned. The report notes that when meeting with them, a representative of the District Alliance for Safe Housing reported on the dilemma of a public housing resident who had moved several times due to threats of domestic violence. The victim’s ex-husband managed to find her after each move, and she wanted to move to another city, but could not afford to leave public housing.

By staking a claim in the national debate on homelessness, DASH is furthering the voice of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We continue to remain interested in partnering with government officials, corporations, and the public at large to strategize about eliminating domestic and sexual violence.