Last month, DAWN’s survivor support group held a journaling and vision-board activity — a space for creativity, reflection, and conversation during a season that can be especially heavy for survivors. What started as a simple craft session became two hours of honest discussion about resilience, the holidays, and what it means to keep moving forward after trauma. One participant shared that she doesn’t have family, and that this support group was the first time in months she’d had the chance to talk openly about what mattered most to her — her fears, her hopes, and her dreams for the coming year. In that moment, we were reminded that family isn’t always defined by blood. Sometimes, it’s found in shared safety, listening ears, and a space to be vulnerable. She left with a journal filled with affirmations and goals — and with something just as important: connection. 💜 These moments are possible because of you. Your support creates spaces where survivors are not alone, especially during the hardest seasons. #DAWNRising #SurvivorSupport #HealingTogether #CommunityCare

🎁💜 Thanks to WineMeUp and their incredible community, two full carloads of gifts arrived at DAWN for our Winter Marketplace last month. These gifts will helped parents choose meaningful presents for their children—bringing joy, dignity, and a sense of normalcy during the holidays. We’re so grateful for communities that show up in big ways to support survivors and their families. Thank you for helping make the season brighter. 💜 #DAWNRising #CommunityStrong #WinterMarketplace #HolidayGiving #SupportSurvivors

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💜 Access to support matters — especially where people already are. Through a partnership with @bellevuecollege, DAWN has two Advocates on campus each week, offering in-person support and ongoing advocacy for students navigating relationship harm or safety concerns. Recently, our Advocates Annette and Valeria also hosted a mini-Marketplace on campus, giving students the option to pick up free essentials — no questions asked, no barriers. Because of partnerships like this, students can find support, connection, and resources right where they learn and grow. 💜 #DAWNRising #CommunityPartnerships #CampusSupport #SupportSurvivors

We’re deeply grateful to Soroptimist International of Auburn for their generous gift of 20 Fred Meyer gift cards to support DAWN clients this past holiday season. For families navigating incredibly challenging moments, the ability to choose groceries, essentials, or a small holiday treat brings relief, dignity, and comfort. Thank you for partnering with us to help survivors not just stay safe—but thrive. 💜 #DAWNRising #CommunityStrong #HolidaySupport #SupportSurvivors

💜 This is what community care looks like. Last month, a team from Allied Residential delivered a generous collection of gifts for DAWN’s Winter Marketplace Day, which happened on December 10 for clients and their families. Marketplace Day is a special moment at DAWN. It allows parents to choose gifts for their children in a warm, welcoming space—honoring dignity, choice, and joy during the holidays. Thanks to Allied Residential’s generosity, more families will experience comfort and celebration during a season that can be especially hard after leaving abuse. From all of us at DAWN: thank you for helping make the holidays brighter for survivors and their children. 💜 #DAWNRising #CommunityPartners #WinterMarketplace #SupportSurvivors

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🐾 Your safety matters. Your pet's safety matters too. 🐾 Did you know that abusers often threaten or harm pets to maintain control over their partners? Many survivors delay leaving because they're worried about their beloved animals. At DAWN, we understand that pets are family. Our emergency shelter welcomes you AND your pets - because no one should have to choose between their safety and their furry family member. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and worried about their pet, we're here to help. 24/7 Crisis Line -425-656-7867 Confidential • Supportive • Pet-Friendly #DomesticViolenceAwareness #PetSafety #SurvivorSupport #DAWNrising #YouAreNotAlone #PetFriendlyShelter

Last month, Pastor Rachel and her wonderful team stopped by DAWN to help clear leaves and refresh our parking lot. This may seem like a small task, but for the families arriving in crisis, a clean and cared-for space makes a meaningful difference. Pastor Rachel sent this heartfelt note afterward: “All done! Let us know if there are other things we can do to help support y’all. Grateful for all you and your hard work serving our community.” We’re grateful for partners like this — people who quietly show up, lend a hand, and remind us that our community is stronger when we care for one another. As we head into 2026, we invite you to join this wave of kindness. Your support helps keep our shelter open, our advocates available, and our youth and families safe. 💜 Give support here: https://dawn.networkforgood.com/projects/23618-dawn-daily-donations-program #CommunityStrong #DAWNRising #GivingTuesday #SupportSurvivors

Please join us in expressing our deep gratitude to the sponsors who helped bring Purple Lights Night to life this year. 💜 Lockton Companies 💜 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) 💜 Comcast 💜 Seattle Seahawks Your partnership made it possible for our community to gather in strength and solidarity, honoring survivors and remembering those lost to domestic violence. Because of your support, families felt the power of a community walking beside them — and DAWN is able to continue providing critical services, shelter, and advocacy year-round. Thank you for your leadership, compassion, and commitment to a safer South King County. 💜 #PurpleLightNights #DVAM #CommunityStrong #DAWNRising #SupportSurvivors

We are deeply grateful to the Seattle Seahawks for contributing their energy, talent, and heart to Renton’s first-ever Purple Light Nights this October. The Seahawks Dance Team brought excitement, the Blue Thunder Drum Team set the cadence that carried walkers to City Hall, and Seahawks staff showed up with 12 flags, a professional photographer, and even a special guest who helped make the night feel truly memorable. Participants shared how meaningful it was to feel surrounded by a community willing to stand with survivors. The Seahawks’ presence helped create an atmosphere of hope, courage, and collective strength — exactly what Purple Light Nights is all about. 💜 To the entire Seahawks organization: thank you for investing in community, for uplifting survivors, and for showing what it looks like when local partners come together for a safer King County. 📸 Photo credit: Seattle Seahawks #PurpleLightNights #DVAM #Seahawks #EndDV #CommunityPartners #DAWN

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As we reflect on 2025, we want to share a heartfelt thank you to the cities across South King County that issued official proclamations recognizing domestic abuse as a critical community issue during Domestic Awareness Month this year. This year, several cities stepped forward — including some issuing a proclamation for the very first time: 💜 Covington 💜 Sammamish 💜 Federal Way 💜 SeaTac 💜 Burien 💜 Kent 💜 Renton Proclamations may seem symbolic, but their impact is real. When local leaders publicly acknowledge domestic violence, they create space for conversation, share life-saving resources, and send a powerful message to survivors: you are not alone, and your community is committed to your safety. We are grateful for every mayor, councilmember, and city staff person who helped elevate this issue and strengthen the network of support in South King County. Thank you for standing with survivors — and with DAWN — as we work toward a future free from violence. #DVAM #CommunityPartners #DAWNRising #SupportSurvivors

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Pets are family—and for survivors, they’re often a source of comfort and healing. One client arrived at DAWN overwhelmed and distressed because she couldn’t find her dog. She suspected something was wrong but held onto hope. Thankfully, she later discovered that her pet had been fostered by the Humane Society. Their reunion was full of relief. And because of your support, DAWN was able to provide dog food and a bed—helping ease the burden so they could both focus on safety and healing. 💜 Safety isn’t just about shelter—it’s about restoring dignity and keeping families, including pets, together. Thank you for making this possible. #DAWNRising #DVAM #CommunityStrong #SafeTogether

We’re excited to celebrate a GivingTuesday partner who’s making a big impact right here in South King County. 💜 🌟 Mama Stortini’s is donating 10% of ALL SALES on #GivingTuesday to support DAWN’s programs — from safe shelter to youth advocacy to emergency resources for survivors. And that’s not all. From 4–7 PM, stop by for a special Art Against Silence pop-up, featuring artwork created by survivors and advocates. All art-card proceeds benefit DAWN. When you dine out on GivingTuesday, you’re nourishing your community — not just yourself. Parties over 10 please call (253) 854-5050 to make a reservation. If you can’t join, you can still give: bit.ly/dawndailydonations 💜 Thank you, Mama Stortini’s, for standing with survivors and helping us build a safer, more hopeful South King County. #GivingTuesday #CommunityPartners #DAWNRising #ArtAgainstSilence