IN THIS ISSUE:  Women Against Abuse is honored by the Lipman Family Prize for its work with Shared Safety, our Policy Team meets with lawmakers in the State Capitol, Dish It Up celebrates Philadelphia's most talented female chefs, and Women Against Abuse wants YOU to raise your voice against violence! 

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We have entered a challenging time in our history. The issue of relational violence is gaining momentum as a foundational issue to the health of our society, yet federal funding for organizations like ours that support survivors of violent relationships is in danger. Women Against Abuse is not immune to this threat. However, we are fully mobilized to advocate to preserve these life-saving services. In this newsletter, you can learn about ways to get involved! 

In the months since our last newsletter, we have been recognized for our pioneering work with Shared Safety by a prestigious global prize hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School; we've traveled to Harrisburg to advocate for measures that protect survivors and promote safe communities; we have honored Philadelphia's talented female chefs while raising funds to support our life-saving services; and we've organized not one, but two ways for supporters like you to raise your voice against violence and stand with survivors.

Relational violence is getting the attention of local and state governments, and there's no turning back. Join us as we raise our voices against violence! 

Sincerely,
Jeannine L. Lisitski
Executive Director and President
Women Against Abuse
On April 28th, Women Against Abuse was awarded The Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize of the University of Pennsylvania for its vision and leadership in pioneering Shared Safety: Philadelphia's Response to Relational Violence. We are humbled to be the first nonprofit organization from Philadelphia to win this prestigious global prize.


In March, our community of friends, supporters, and concerned citizens came together for our 9th Annual Dish It Up Female Chef Competition and Fundraiser. Hundreds of guests attended this night of food, fun and fundraising to support the life-saving services of Women Against Abuse. Dr. Julie Mostov was honored with this year's Woman of the Year Award. Lisa Lombo of Jones Restaurant  won the 2017 Purple Dish Award, while Dish It Up guests chose Abigail Dahan of Parc Restaurant as the winner of the Purple Cupcake Award.
 
Read about this year's Dish It Up now.

Pictured: top, left to right: Yvette Kamimura (Board Member and Survivor Representative), Deborah Culhane (Supervising Attorney), Whitney Brown (Policy Assistant); bottom, left to right: Marti Gary (Survivor Representative), Jeannine Lisitski (Executive Director and President), Elise Scioscia (Director of Policy and Prevention)

This April, a team of advocates from Women Against Abuse went to the state capital in Harrisburg to meet with elected officials to discuss the plans for the upcoming budget season. Advocates spoke to the Governor's Office, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Appropriations committee members, and local representatives to highlight the importance of continued funding for domestic violence programs throughout Pennsylvania.

Funding that is received through the state directly supports our residential programs including security staff, case management and therapists, children's programming, our legal center (including our police liaison department), our prevention work in schools, our administrative infrastructure, and staffing for the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline, which last year received 15,086 calls.

Advocates were also able to highlight many of Women Against Abuse's accomplishments over the past year. Elected officials were particularly excited to hear about the progress of Shared Safety and the other partnerships that our organization has initiated with city systems, law enforcement, and local social service agencies. Legislators were also happy to hear about the new Director of Domestic Violence Strategies position in Philadelphia and to discuss innovative ways to implement a state-wide domestic violence liaison position.

Women Against Abuse is proud to advocate for some of our community's most vulnerable citizens. You can get involved in the effort by visiting our Take Action Center and learning about new ways to contact your elected officials and take immediate action on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
 

How do we advocate for survivors of domestic violence and protect funding for our mission to promote a future free from violence? Get involved with our Voices Against Violence Advocacy Open House and Fundraising Campaign!


Give to the #VoicesAgainstViolence Fundraising Campaign here.
W hat inspired local bracelet design company Rally Beads to support Women Against Abuse's mission and services? Founders Lisa Blaber and Helene Delaney share their reason: 

"We started Rally Beads with a desire to make beautiful beaded bracelets that make a difference, and have embraced the chance to work with and for causes that inspire us and have a positive impact on our community. Our bracelets have walked, run and inspired others; a stylish symbol that says 'Rally On.' Each of us has the power to make a difference, and working together we can truly be unstoppable. We were thrilled to partner with Women Against Abuse and design a bracelet that would be a symbol of hope and a reminder of solidarity. We chose a stone that invokes strength, courage and calmness, Purple Brazilian Agate, and paired it with a simple message "i Pledge". As part of our Rally Give Back bracelet, a portion of the proceeds will support Women Against Abuse."

 
Women Against Abuse is participating in the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence's (PCADV) annual Father's Day Pledge to End Gender Violence. This is a statewide  celebration recognizing men who believe in respectful, healthy relationships. The #FathersDayPledgePA campaign is designed to establish men as roles models within the movement to end gender-based violence. Locally, the Philadelphia Phillies have partnered with PCADV to promote the campaign around Father's Day weekend. Join us for  a special domestic violence awareness Phillies game on Saturday, June 17th at 4:00pm. 

Learn more about this year's campaign. 
Women Against Abuse
Feeling unsafe in your relationship? 
Call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline 
at 1-866-723-3014. All calls are free and confidential.