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IN THIS ISSUE: 
Learn about our Policy and Prevention Team's Advocacy Day adventures, meet Meridith Polin of the Pew Fund Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative, find out who took home the Purple Plate and Purple Dessert Awards at Dish It Up, and work with Women Against Abuse!

Dear Friends and Advocates,

Spring has historically been a very busy season for us here at Women Against Abuse, and this year is no exception. We hosted a very memorable  Dish It Up  in March, we traveled to Harrisburg to advocate for safer communities with the  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)  in April, and we've begun an innovative 15-month initiative with the  Pew Charitable Trusts  to build our evaluation capacity and enhance how we use data to drive growth and change.

Although major events such as Dish It Up and PCADV's Advocacy Day happen only once a year, our life-saving services are empowering survivors to leave violent relationships behind and heal with dignity each and every day. We hope you'll continue to be a partner in progress as we lead the struggle to end domestic violence. Perhaps you'll even consider working with us (keep scrolling to read more details on that below)!

In Solidarity,
 
Jeannine L. Lisitski
Executive Director and President
Women Against Abuse

Every year, the  Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape host Advocacy Day at the Capital Complex in Harrisburg. Women Against Abuse sends a delegation of staff to this event to represent the interests and needs of our clients and to join with partner domestic violence agencies across the Commonwealth in asking for our elected officials to say "NO MORE" to domestic and sexual violence.
At the State Capital, Women Against Abuse advocates had the opportunity to participate in a press conference, witness the passing of legislation, and take part in educating our elected officials about the impact that domestic violence and sexual assault organizations make in their local communities.

Women Against Abuse has always been proud to advocate for some of our community's most vulnerable citizens. You can get involved by visiting our  Take Action Center here  and learning about new ways to contact your elected officials and take immediate action on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
How can data help a nonprofit like Women Against Abuse tell our story and make a bigger impact in the communities we serve?  The Pew Charitable Trusts  is eager to answer that question through its new  Pew Fund Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative . Women Against Abuse was recently selected as one of 30 organizations to participate in this innovative effort, which pairs Pew Fund grantees with evaluation consultants from  ImpactED  who will provide technical assistance through group learning and individualized coaching.

"We're interested in accelerating the impact of these nonprofits," said  Meridith Polin , Senior Officer  of the Pew Fund Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative. "We want our grantees to use data to inform organizational decisions and improve the services they offer across the Philadelphia region; ultimately we believe it will have a positive impact on individual and community level outcomes."

Polin sums up the goal of the Evaluation Capacity Building Initiative as "learning to use data to inform practice." Women Against Abuse will work with ImpactED to learn how to measure the effectiveness of our programs and use the information collected to make improvements in our services. We will also be able to use the data to share our story with supporters and funders, as well as inform long-term strategic planning. 

According to Polin, what makes this initiative so unique is its emphasis on "meeting grantees where they are" and its focus on change management to build an organization's culture of learning.
Dish It Up 2018 Chefs & their team members.
Image credit: In Your Service Events
On March 28th, more than 350 supporters, advocates, and community members came together for the 10th anniversary edition of Dish It Up. Here are some highlights from this very special night:

  • Our Mistress of Ceremonies Melissa Magee of 6ABC kicked things off with a special interview on our Facebook page (watch it here).

  • Guests contributed messages of hope to survivors through an interactive art display painted during the event by artist Rachel Ladebu (pictured above). The completed canvases are now being displayed prominently in our residences to empower survivors and their families. 

  • Tucker Law Group's Joe H. Tucker, Jr. was honored as our Advocate of the Year.

  • Advocate William Spratley presented a moving film testimonial about his daughter Ameya, and how her death at the hands of a violent partner has inspired him to be a voice against violence (watch William's Story here).
Melissa Magee, Jeannine L. Lisitski, Purple Dish Award Winner Mary Lochary, and Event Co-Chair and Board Member Erin McKenna.
Image credit: In Your Service Events 
Women Against Abuse Board Chair Amy Pocino Kelly, Purple Dessert Winner Ruth Scott, and Jeannine L. Lisitski.
Image credit: In Your Service Events 
  • Mary Lochary of The Rittenhouse took home the coveted Purple Dish Award, and Ruth Scott of Cupcakes by Ruth won the Purple Dessert Award.

  • Dish It Up 10 Honorary Chair Renee Amoore led an exciting Text to Pledge solicitation that raised nearly $30,000 on the spot for Women Against Abuse's work.

We're so grateful to everyone who celebrated 10 years of Dish It Up with us, and we encourage our advocates and supporters to join us for the 11th Annual Dish It Up in 2019!
Join the struggle to end domestic violence and help survivors heal after abuse - explore our open employment opportunities now. Women Against Abuse is committed to a work environment built on teamwork, transparency, and a high level of professionalism. 

 
Feeling unsafe in your relationship? 
The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for safety planning and support. Call   1-866-723-3014 .
All calls are free and confidential.


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