DASH testimony featured on TBD.com

Messages on wall at DASH residence.

DASH Executive Director Peg Hacskaylo was among several agency representatives testifying before the City Council oversight hearing on the Judiciary to advocate for sustained for funding for victims’ services.  Amanda Hess, writer for the blog TBD.com, summarized the testimonies of the domestic violence and sexual assault agencies, noting the impact the budget shortfall would have on services to victims in the District.

Read her post here: http://tbd.ly/i9DVHq

Washington Business Journal features DASH

DASH Executive Director Peg Hacskaylo

DASH was the featured nonprofit in the March 16 edition of the Washington Business Journal’s Nonprofits Focus column.  The article discussed tax incentives being offered by the D.C. City Council to lure large new nonprofit organizations to various city centers in the District. 
Commenting that small organizations already in the District are struggling to cut costs and financial assistance from the city is “tight,” Peg Hacskaylo, DASH’s Executive Director, puts this financial inducement into context.

Read more: D.C. lawmakers created a tax break for new or expanding nonprofits, but existing groups worry it will put a squeeze on the city’s resources | Washington Business Journal

DASH hosts Allies in Change Awards

DASH Executive Director Peg Hacskaylo and NBC4 News Anchor Craig Melvin

Washington DC — The District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) honored the work of community members who have made a difference in the lives of women and children facing homelessness as a result of domestic and sexual violence at the first annual DASH Allies in Change Awards luncheon on March 1, 2011.  The event, held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, also marked the public unveiling of DASH’s Cornerstone Program for families escaping abuse show in a new film, Safe Housing for All.  

The DASH Cornerstone program opened on Nov. 2, 2010 and is currently the largest safe housing facility for survivors of domestic violence in the District of Columbia.  The facility houses 43 units and 150 beds for women and children fleeing violent homes. 

“Victims of violence shouldn’t have to choose between living with abuse or living on the streets,” said Peg Hacskaylo, DASH Executive Director.  “It is thanks to our allied stakeholders that we’ve been able to triple the amount of safe housing available to these families.  The Allies in Change Awards is our opportunity to celebrate our champions who work to ensure that every home is a safe home for survivors.”

Hosted by NBC4 News Anchor Craig Melvin and with keynote address by Mildred Muhammad, wife of the notorious D.C. Sniper, DASH gave awards to seven community partners who have made extraordinary efforts to support DASH’s mission to ensure access to safe and sustainable refuge for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Sponsors for the luncheon included Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP; Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized on behalf of Katten by an organization that I have come to respect greatly through our work over the last several years,” says John D. Muir, a real estate partner and pro bono chair in Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP’s Washington office and one of the event’s honorees. “Pro bono service is a core commitment at our firm, and we are pleased to partner with DASH on the important work that it is doing to ensure safe housing to people experiencing homelessness because of domestic violence in our community.” 

Other honorees included: the Reverend Keith W. Byrd, Sr. of Zion Baptist Church; the DC Department of Housing & Community Development; Tom Gallagher of E&G Group; DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson; Shirley Payne, DASH volunteer; and Dennis Zirkle of Blue Fusion Environments.

“Thanks to the partnerships we have with our honorees, as well as all of our community partners, the response to survivors seeking to escape violence and establish safe housing has changed.   Our city’s capacity to help survivors has grown to become more flexible, more capable and more sensitive to their needs,” says DASH Board Chair Jordan Fitzgerald.

DASH Valentine’s Day Party

The residents of DASH’s Cornerstone Residence shared in a Valentine’s Day Party, enjoying cupcakes and making valentines, with support from a group of volunteers from Washington’s Biggest Givers.  The kids and moms had a great time preparing hand-made valentines and eating the treats!  Thanks for everyone who helped make this Valentine’s Day a special one for DASH families!

Domestic Violence Mural Unveiling – 10/2/10

DASH and lovebus events & design invite you to an unveiling of Joel Bergner’s latest mural

WHEN:  Saturday, October 2nd from 4 to 6 PM

WHERE:  3740 12th Street NE, Washington DC (near Brookland Metro)

Featuring survivors of domestic violence telling their stories, performances and free food

Music by:
the lost bois
solsis
juneskye
lyrikk mashairi
batala (all female drum group)

For more information, contact:
DASH: llafortune(at)dashdc.org
lovebus: info(at)lovebusdc.com
Joel Bergner: joelartista1(at)gmail.com

Newark Street Community Garden Donates to DASH

Pictured above: A butterfly in the flower and herb garden of Marcia Stein, who is coordinating donations to DASH from the Newark Street Community Garden
A great big thank you to Marcia Stein and all of the very generous gardeners from the Newark Street Community Garden who donated fresh veggies, fruits, herbs and flowers to DASH!

Among the wonderful fresh items donated this past weekend: peaches, blackberries, Swiss chard, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, chives, rosemary, thyme, red onions, peppers, and an array of beautiful flowers!

We look forward to continued partnership with the gardeners to bring fresh produce to the table at DASH housing programs. Special thanks to DASH supporter (and gardener!) Becca O’Connor for connecting us to the great folks at Newark Street Community Garden.

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Big Success at DASH’s Bed Bath & Beyond Event!

Pictured above: DASH housing advocate talks with a donor while staffing the table at Bed Bath & Beyond donation drive event on Saturday, July 31st

Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make our fundraiser event at Bed Bath & Beyond a big success. We collected some incredible donations, ranging from household goods to personal care products and even some monetary contributions!

Very special thanks to the managers and staff at Bed Bath & Beyond’s Columbia Heights store for hosting DASH and offering a special 20% OFF coupon to everyone who stopped by our table. And to everyone who came to our table to learn more about what we do, make a donation, and offer us encouragement: we appreciate your support!
We raised money, collected items for our housing programs, and connected with dozens of people who support our mission and our work. It was a wonderful weekend-long event! If you missed us this time, be sure to catch us at an upcoming community event.
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BED BATH & BEYOND Columbia Heights Store Hosts DASH Donation Drive!


Join DASH at the BED BATH & BEYOND store at Columbia Heights, DC, 3100 14th Street, NW on Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st for a donation drive!

We’ll have a staffed table to provide info about our new housing program, and to share our “Most Wanted” shopping list. You can purchase and donate any items from our BB&B; Gift Registry all day on both days!

Very special thanks to BB&B; for hosting us! Please be sure to come visit our table, learn about the work we’re doing, and make a donation to our household items drive.

Got a BB&B; gift card? Yes, you can use it to buy items from our gift registry, or you can donate it!

See you Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st at BED BATH & BEYOND, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DC!

Note: We will ONLY be at the Columbia Heights store for the donation drive, but you can buy online from our BB&B; Gift Registry and your donation will ship to us. Other BB&B; store locations are not hosting donation drives for DASH.

Where is BED BATH & BEYOND Columbia Heights store?
Click here for a map!

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DASH Celebrates National Homeownership Month

Pictured above: Two of our housing advocates staff the DASH table at the UPO Homeownership Day on June 19th

In honor of National Homeownership Month, DASH participated in the United Planning Organization (UPO) Homeownership Day event at Historic Eastern Market on Saturday, June 19th.

Visitors to the DASH table received information about our programs and services for domestic violence survivors, including resources for survivors who are looking to avoid homelessness caused by domestic violence. For homeowners, recovering from abuse does not have to mean losing their home, nor does it always mean fleeing home to stay safe.

We are very grateful to the folks at UPO for inviting DASH to participate in this fun and empowering community event. And to everyone who visited our table at the event: thanks for stopping by!

If you missed us at this event, not to worry. You can catch up with DASH at a future event. To stay in the loop, be sure to sign up for our mailing list > click here to join

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