Since DASH first approached EagleBank for help with refinancing DASH’s Cornerstone Residence, their consistent support for our organization and vision of safe housing for all survivors has made a notable difference in the lives of the women we serve. Even though DASH was then a young and relatively unproven organization, Eagle saw fit to invest in our services and ultimately help to ensure that women and children had safe, stable homes. Their commitment to DASH has been steadfast from the beginning and without their confidence, we would not be able to ensure those safe homes remain for the
families that need them.

For this year’s Allies in Change Awards Luncheon, we are recognizing them with our “Anchor Award.” In construction, an “anchor” provides structural reinforcement
for the walls of the building, which perfectly describes what EagleBank has done for DASH in providing us with the reinforcement to maintain the health and stability of our
financial, organizational, and residential. EagleBank has been more than just a financial lender – through their consistent and enthusiastic support, they have been an anchor to the health and safety of the community. Read the interview with EagleBank Chairman and CEO Ronald D. Paul below, and remember to buy tickets to the Allies in Change Luncheon here:

EagleBank is a local community bank that has provided financial products and services to businesses and individuals throughout the Washington, DC Metro Area for nearly 15 years.  We believe in supporting and strengthening the community we serve.  Helping to make it a safer place in which to live, work and play is important and essential for all of us.

Our employees’ involvement and ability to serve the financial needs of DASH is how we learned about this very worthwhile organization.  We strive to learn everything there is to know about a potential client in order to provide the best financial solutions.  In that process, we recognized the serious subjects of homelessness and the domestic violence that DASH addresses.  It is well in line with EagleBank’s own commitment to community involvement and desire to keep DC safe for all – our employees, customers, citizens and neighbors have helped alert us to the needs and deeds of DASH.

Any organization that is devoted to saving and protecting the homeless, especially women and children, and fighting the trauma of domestic violence should be on the radar screen of every local business.  A city that protects and defends its homeless women and children is a city where businesses can grow and thrive.  Safe, secure citizens can get jobs, provide support for their families and  eventually help support the local economy on which we all depend.  DASH provides a base, a cause, a draw… that pulls EagleBank and others in to focus on the dire needs of homeless women and children.

Our community support and efforts usually start with a need for financial expertise, a custom solution or a chance to partner in something worthwhile.  As a community bank, everything EagleBank does  for the sake of business involves touching the community.  They are often inseparable.   Sometimes, the cause and needs of a client that serves the community is a more powerful draw than mere business-as-usual.  Such is the case with DASH.  EagleBank is proud to be involved.

DASH has a focus that touches hearts – an abused female, a child without a home – violence and irresponsibility – a Mom left behind, bruised and battered, without the funds to feed, clothe or shelter her children.  While so many organizations provide services on a bigger level – family, group or whole community – DASH shines a powerful beam on the weakest segment of this group.

Domestic violence, abuse, depression, illness, and other misfortunes lead to homelessness.  Depression, abuse and violence, in particular, are on the rise and are directly related to mental illness.   Until we all realize that mental illness is a disease (like diabetes, lupus, AIDS, MS and more), we cannot fight it or treat it properly.  Thus, violence and abuse against women and children and the fright of being homeless will continue.   Addressing  mental illness which leads to the horror of domestic violence,  and the resources needed to shelter the battered and homeless is important to EagleBank and should be important to everyone who hopes for a healthier, happier community.