3/20/2008 9:15:00 AM Gates Foundation grants $300,000 to build 'Dove House' as huge boost to DV/SAP services
The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program of Jefferson County (DV/SAP) today announced that its capital campaign for Dove House, received a $300,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dove House will provide four units of transitional housing in Port Townsend for people recovering from domestic violence, in addition to strengthening DV/SAP's existing services. Dove House is also the only transitional residence specifically for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Jefferson County.
Overall, DV/SAP experienced a 40 percent increase in client intake over the course of the last year, reported Cheryl Bozarth, DV/SAP executive director.
Total service units likewise increased by 49 percent. In addition, DV/SAP responded to 378 calls on our crisis line and served 104 middle and high school students with a prevention program. The number of bed-nights provided at the confidential shelter nearly doubled in the same period, due to increased numbers of people seeking shelter and the need for longer stays.
Research from the Jefferson County Housing Action Plan Network suggests that at least 1,116 to 1,429 more affordable housing units are needed by 2024 in order to keep pace with community needs.
"We found that as many as one-third of our emergency shelter clients are forced to return to abusive homes simply because ninety days of emergency shelter is not enough time to secure stable, permanent housing. When they return to their abusers, they often face more frequent and severe battering and economic oppression. Lack of affordable housing in Jefferson County creates a dangerous and life threatening situation for victims of domestic violence and their children," said Bozarth.
Residents of Dove House (as well as emergency shelter and community based clients) will receive a comprehensive array of services to improve their opportunities for self-sufficiency. These services include, individual counseling and support groups, legal advocacy, vocational and educational mentoring through our scholarship programs, budgeting and financial management workshops, and case management to assist with their permanent housing needs. The housing units will accommodate 10-16 persons at a time, depending on family sizes. With turnover, DV/SAP expects to help six to eight families each year.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding combined with other private and public sources allow DVSAP to better serve its clients and the community at Dove House.
Dove House
Dove House was established in response to the severe lack of affordable housing in Jefferson County as well as the dramatic increase in services requested at DV/SAP. The private nonprofit corporation is Jefferson County's sole provider of free services to victims of family and sexual violence. At Dove House, more adults and children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault will be able to find the resources they need to heal.
Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people- especially those with the fewest resources- have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is lead by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
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