Mission

DAWN's mission is to end domestic violence by (1) providing culturally relevant direct services that empower battered women and their children, (2) advocating for positive changes in the societal systems that impact the lives of women, and (3) fostering a better understanding of domestic violence in the community.

Achievements

- DAWN is one of the largest domestic violence agencies in the state of Washington and the only agency of its kind in South King County, an area populated by more than 600,000 people.

- The agency was formed by volunteers in 1980. The first services- a 24 hour crisis line and a network of "safe homes" - were offered in 1981.

- In 1982, legal advocacy and support groups with free child care were offered.

- Legal advocay services were expanded in 1990 and pro bono legal clinics were made available to help victims work with the police and the court system.

- In 1991, a program of community advocacy was implemented to increase the agency's capacity to serve and advocate for women longterm, and to provide more education and outreach to the community.

- DAWN's House, the first and only confidential shelter in South King County for victims of domestic violence, was opened in 1992. In 1995, the capacity of the shelter was expanded from 12 to 21 beds.

- Throughout its history, the agency has been served by a large corps of weel-trained, committed volunteers.

Funding

Gifts and grants from individuals, schools, churches, corporations, foundations, and associations comprise 26% of DAWN's funding. The rest comes from city, county, state, and federal governments as grants or contracts for service.

1996 Service Statistics

New Clients (intakes completed); 640 women with 1,051 children
Clients Carried Over from 1995; 136 women with 91 children
Shelter Bednights - 7,221
Shelter Meals - 21,618
Women Sheltered - 163
Children Sheltered - 239
Crisis Calls - 12,291 (includes advocacy and shelter)
Legal Advocacy Clients - 1,033
Legal Clinic Clients - 76
Support Group Attendance - 1,485
Child Care Attendance - 850
Total Direct Service Hours - 33,995
Community Presentations - 140