The Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) has a new home, having completed an extensive move and transition to a downtown Kent office.<\/p>\n
Peg Coleman, DAWN executive director, is pleased with the outcome. She and staff showed off the reshaped facility to civic guests and community leaders at a Kent Chamber of Commerce-supported open house last week.<\/p>\n
Moving DAWN’s administrative office and community services hub to a convenient, centralized location in Kent – at 221 W. Gowe St. – allows the nonprofit organization to become a more effective, engaging part of the community. DAWN’s Center for Peaceful Communities is now “front and center” in making services available to clients, Coleman said.<\/p>\n
As Coleman explained: “This really represents us notably in the community and taking a very big step forward in saying, ‘We’re against violence. We’re really rising for peace.’ … It’s about how as we as a community can come together to make a safe place for everybody.”<\/p>\n
And DAWN owns the place. The DAWN board of directors decided last year to purchase the former Union Bank building at an undisclosed price. The building, according to Coleman, more efficiently accommodates a staff of about 27. Coleman and her colleague appreciate the bank’s support in getting the deal done.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit organization, which provides community- and shelter-based services for domestic violence survivors in the area, was stationed at a Tukwila industrial park for about 10 years.<\/p>\n
Rising leases in King County persuaded network leaders to buy the Kent office building at a more affordable mortgage.<\/p>\n
Board members were looking at ways to increase accessibility to domestic violence services in South King County – part of its mission. Such a move will enhance employee-client work and better connect DAWN and the people it serves to nearby resources and services. The network serves about 2,400 clients a year.<\/p>\n
“We are so excited to help bring domestic violence services out of the shadows and to become more integrated into our community,” Coleman said. “We’re looking forward to being more accessible to the women who need us and to become part of the downtown Kent neighborhood.”<\/p>\n
DAWN’s 24-hour crisis hotline is available at 425-656-7867, its main line at 253-893-1600.<\/p>\n