- 24-Hour Crisis Line
- Advocacy for Older Survivors
- Client Advocacy
- Mental Health Services
- Support Groups (both English and Spanish)
- Legal Advocacy
- Children's Programs
- Confidential Shelter
- Extended Stay Program
- Education and Outreach
- DAWN en Español
DAWN's clients come from all social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Most have children, over a third of whom are under age five. Though our primary service area is South King County, we often work with clients from other areas because they have no local domestic violence resources, or because it is not safe to stay near their homes.
There are no fees for our services. DAWN is a non-profit organization serving clients in South King County. Our goal is to help people create a healthy, peaceful life, no matter what their circumstances.
[Note: DAWN does not offer services for perpetrators of domestic violence.]
Trained volunteers and staff offer support, information, and referrals every minute of every day. You need not be in crisis to access the line. Friends, family members and neighbors are encouraged to call us. The number is (425) 656-7867.
DAWN offers advocacy services designed to meet the needs of survivors over the age of 50, including a women’s support group. Support group not only prepares a survivor to leave a relationship, but offers coping skills for those who choose to remain. Discussions may include emotional support, safety planning, legal concerns, housing, financial concerns, and exploring available community resources. One-on-one meetings are available to both women and men who have been physically, verbally or emotionally abused by a loved one.
DAWN’s also offers an Elder Abuse Program which serves anyone over the age of 65 who has experienced abuse or financial exploitation by a spouse, partner or other family member. An advocate may assist with a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order, accompany the survivor to court hearings, and offer support and referrals.
Please contact 425-656-4305 ext. 256 for more information.
Advocates work in partnership with clients to identify and address a wide variety of client needs, including housing, court accompaniment, economic assistance, access to medical care and mental health counseling, emotional support, and safety planning. Services are tailored to meet the individual client's needs and continue for as long as needed, typically 18 months. Please call our Intake Line at (425) 656-4305, ext. 253. Para el Español, llame (425) 656-4305, ext. 257.
We offer advocacy services designed to meet the needs of survivors over the age of 50, including a support group for women over the age of 50. One-on-one meetings are available to both women and men who have been physically, verbally or emotionally abused by a loved one.
An advocate also assists anyone over the age of 65 who has experienced abuse or financial exploitation by a spouse, partner or other family member with obtaining a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order; accompanies the survivor to court hearings, and offers support and referrals.
DAWN offers free, time limited counseling/therapy. DAWN therapists understand abuse dynamics and the impact and long term effects these have on the survivor. Often therapy focuses on self-image, trauma responses, and survival strategies. Other issues can include grief and depression, anxiety, stress, relationship and parenting issues and life change adjustments. We can also provide referrals to private therapists and suggestions for low cost or Medicaid providers in the community. You can ask your advocate for a referral at orientation. Both support groups and trauma-informed counseling can facilitate and accelerate the natural healing process for survivors.
Please contact Sara Elkington MA, LMHC - a licensed therapist with over
eight years of experience providing individual therapy to adult women - at
425-656-4305 x
Support Groups (both English and Spanish)
These weekly groups break down barriers of isolation, and provide a supportive atmosphere and a forum to discuss the effects of domestic violence on victims and survivors. They provide an avenue to meet other clients with similar stories who may give new insights into others' situations. Clients can participate in whatever way feels comfortable to them. Support groups are an opportunity to talk about needs, situations, and plans while in a safe place. For English speaking groups, please call (425) 656-4305 ext. 253 for more information about attending. For Spanish speaking groups, please call (425) 656-4305 ext. 232.
For the “Mature Women” support group (50 and older only), please contact 425-656-4305 ext. 256.
Legal advocacy provides survivors with information and access to resources for criminal and/or civil matters. These include protection orders, parenting plans, child support, visitation or custody and divorce. Advocates can help you to obtain the correct legal paperwork and answer general legal questions related to domestic violence. Advocates are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice or practice law.
Free legal clinics are available twice a month; a legal clinic is 30 minutes of free time with a practicing family law attorney. Referrals to community legal programs are available, although resources are limited and we cannot guarantee legal representation.
To speak with an advocate regarding general legal issues related to domestic violence, please call our crisis line at 425-656-7867.
The shelter-based program offers domestic violence education, recreational activities, play times, tutors for school-age children, and access to daycare and schools. The Shelter children's advocate provides moms and their children a supportive atmosphere, and access to information and resources to meet children's needs.
DAWN also offers Kid's Club, which is open to all children in our community and is free of charge. Kid's Club is a series of group sessions which offer support and information to help kids deal with their exposure to domestic violence. Based on a national model, Kid's Club can increase a child's feeling of safety; decrease stress, anxiety and depression; and improve school readiness. Custodial parents join a number of the group sessions, but also meet in their own group to learn more about how to help their children cope with their experiences. A licensed mental health practitioner, who is very knowledgeable about domestic violence, facilitates the program. Contact (425) 656-4305 ext. 249 for details.
DAWN's House provides confidential shelter, as well as food, access to clothing, health care screening and medical care, chemical dependency counseling, access to mental health providers, children's programming, transportation assistance, and access to the full range of services available through DAWN. Advocates work with clients to address immediate needs, as well as the transition to longer-term housing options. Take a photo tour of DAWN's House! Please call (206) 622-1881, or toll-free 1-866-286-DAWN (3296), to reach DAWN's House.
DAWN offers a number of beautifully furnished 2-bedroom apartment units, available for moms and kids. This program allows women to transition from crisis homelessness to permanent housing. Each family who is accepted into the program can stay free for 90 days, pay the utilities for the next 90 days, and pay 30 percent of their income the next 90 days. Families are encouraged to then "transition in place" in their own unit and assume all of the living costs. Access to this program is through a client's DAWN advocate. For more information on transitional housing, click here (Transitional Housing).
DAWN staff and board members make presentations throughout the year at businesses, clubs, churches, civic organizations, other social service agencies, and schools to increase awareness and understanding about domestic violence. DAWN also collaborates with law enforcement, judicial, and legislative representatives and serves on city, county and state domestic violence task forces. Please contact Director of Community Advocacy Programs at Joanna@dawnonline.org or by calling 425-656-4305 x 240 for more information
DAWN also has advocacy services for Spanish-speaking women, as well as a Latina support group. Llama al numero (425) 656-4305, ext. 232, para información.
All services are held in ADA accessible locations. If you are in need of an auxiliary aid (i.e. sign language interpreter, reader, etc.) DAWN will provide one upon request to participants with disabilities.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
(425) 656-7867
