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GREAT DAWN THINGS |
Issue #10 - November 2011 |
Dear Friends,
Earlier this
year with support from a United Way of King County New Solutions Grant, DAWN revolutionized its volunteer training and service
programs. In its first 6 months, the number of volunteers and their average
weekly time commitment increased by over 50%! With this additional human
capital we are able to decrease survivors’ wait for service and staff our
crisis line, freeing limited resources to more directly benefit survivors.
DAWN’s advocacy volunteers report that they feel well trained and fully supported by team mentors and engaged in activities that build transferrable human services skills. They also report they feel like full partners in the DAWN mission. Additionally, we are fulfilling our mission to engage and educate the community on the issues of domestic violence with now an average of 45 trained and empowered ambassadors each quarter.
We are gearing up for our Winter 2012 Advocacy Training to begin on January 6th. So, mark your calendars and tell your friends to join DAWN for the gold standard in advocacy training! For more information and to apply for our Winter 2012 training please click here.
Kind regards,
Cheryl Bozarth
Executive Director
P.S. We need 40 NEW twin-size machine-washable comforters to help keep our shelter residents warm this winter! Visit our Target list to purchase a comforter for $19.99.
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VOLUNTEERS HELP SAVE TIME AND VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR DAWN |
“GiveCamp is a (National)
weekend-long event where software developers, designers, and database
administrators donate their time (and talents) to create custom software for
non-profit organizations. Overall, it’s a great opportunity for people to
work together, developing new friendships, and doing something important for
their community.” 
On October 21-23, 20+ cities across the U.S. held
GiveCamps, including one on the Microsoft campus in
DAWN was selected as one of the 17 recipient charities. The project - a customized data management system and data migration to help DAWN staff track and manage registrants and graduates of our renowned volunteer advocacy training program. (L-R) Community Advocacy Program Director Joanna Pepin and Administrative Assistant Program Coordinator Kathy Jeffrey worked with John Flint, Marina Martin, and Horus Alkebu, who completed the project well within the three-day GiveCamp.
Joanna and Kathy then surprised Volunteer Coordinator Betsy Ann the following Monday with DAWN’s new data management system. Squeals of glee immediately erupted as Betsy Ann realized the potential of this new tool. “Are you serious?” asked Betsy Ann. “People fill out a form and it automatically goes into the database? And I can track their interests and volunteer time? This is awesome! Do you know how many hours this will save us? THANK YOU!”
Overall, Seattle GiveCamp and its volunteers saved DAWN approximately $20,000 in custom software design and data migration fees plus hours of staff time on the go forward tracking and managing registrants and volunteers. With shrinking resources and increasing demands for DAWN’s programs and services, the less time staff and volunteers spend on tracking data means more time they are able to support survivors and their children.
We are very grateful to be supported by a vital network of community members who believe as we do, that safety is a core inalienable right for all of humanity. THANK YOU Seattle GiveCamp, with special thanks to John, Marina and Horus!
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DAWN’S AWARD-WINNING VOLUNTEERS |
We are very pleased to report that two of our INCREDIBLE volunteers
were recognized at the 12th Annual Take Action Against Domestic Violence
Awards held on October 27.
The King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s annual Take Action Against Domestic Violence Awards “recognize individuals and groups who have taken significant steps to raise awareness about domestic violence or help and support survivors. In choosing recipients from our inspiring pool of nominees, the selection committee considered the nominee’s initiative in taking the action, use of resources, the action’s impact, and whether the action was something that might inspire others.” (from the reception program.)
Harry Reichenberg – Recipient, 2011 Take Action Award
For over twenty years, Harry Reichenberg, an attorney in private practice, has been hosting a monthly legal clinic for DAWN clients. By generously sharing his expertise in family law, he assists numerous DAWN clients with their dissolution cases and parenting plans. Survivors can go to Harry and get informative answers, excellent advice, and detailed help with paperwork – at no cost.
Harry works after-hours to meet with clients at the legal clinic which is solely staffed by him, he has often stayed later than the 9 p.m. end-time to make sure all questions have been answered. Harry offers a service that is greatly needed in south King County; free legal services are very hard to come by. Without his legal advice and assistance, many survivors would experience ongoing abuse by their batterer through their family law case. Harry provides a valuable service to survivors that is greatly needed. Harry provides free legal services to survivors humbly; he has never once asked for any type of recognition or payment for the service he provides. A member of the Awards Committee stated, “There are so many attorneys in King County. If just a few of them would offer the same kind of service Harry has for the past 20 years, many more survivors could get the legal help they need.”
Lisa Russell – Nominee, 2011 Take Action Award
Lisa has been a DAWN Crisis Line Volunteer since December 2009. She always arrives with a smile on her face, is eager to continue learning better ways to serve clients, and is incredibly reliable. She also helps out around the time of fundraisers and other especially busy times. Her safety planning skills with clients are outstanding, as is her knowledge of community resources. Her presence in the office enhances the work environment, making clients and staff feel more energetic and committed. Lisa inspires other volunteers to embrace their work with passion, humility and creativity.”
CONGRATULATIONS Harry and Lisa! DAWN staff, volunteers and clients greatly appreciate your dedication and support.
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YOUR ONLINE PURCHASES CAN SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF DV |
The Monday after Thanksgiving is referred to as Cyber Monday
because so many people buy online when they return from the holiday. Several
online retailers now offer deals not otherwise found and free shipping and
websites are dedicated to providing you with all of the information 
necessary to take full advantage of the Cyber Monday deals.
Not only can you find great savings, but you can also make nearly every purchase benefit DAWN - at no additional cost to you!
Use iGive.com and GoodShop.com as your shopping portals and designate DAWN as the recipient of contributions from the retailer. Start with your holiday shopping list and research the best deals listed on websites, like cybermonday.com. Then login to your iGive or GoodShop account and shop. With every purchase through either iGive or GoodShop, the online retailer will make a contribution to DAWN – year-round!
Caution: Many Cyber Monday shoppers use their computer at work to shop. If you are planning to do this, ensure you won’t get into trouble at work.
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THANK YOU FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH! |
Thank you for keeping in touch! If you would like to contribute an article
for an issue of DAWN's eNewsletter, please send us an
email.
Sincerely,
Domestic Abuse Women's Network
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
(425) 656-7867
