For the Reporter
The Domestic Abuse Women’s Network honored two domestic violence services leaders at its benefit breakfast, DAWN of A New Day, at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Convention Center on May 4.
DAWN, which recently relocated to its new offices at 221 W. Gowe St. in downtown Kent, honored Susie Winston, Sound Mental Health’s director of Child and Family Services, and Mike Heinisch, executive director of Kent Youth & Family Services. Each of these professionals have served key and instrumental roles region-wide in improving the lives of thousands of families in King County who have survived domestic violence.
“The awards are a wonderful way to demonstrate DAWN’s shared success with our partners and recognize specific individuals whose commitment to our women and families has made a significant difference in our community,” said Executive Director Peg Coleman.
Winston, of Woodinville, was awarded the second annual Terri Kimble Award for her decades-long advocacy, collaboration and coalition building efforts to improve and enhance the delivery of domestic violence and mental health services for survivors and their children. Winston partnered with DAWN, the South King County YWCA, LIFEWIRE and New Beginnings 10 years ago to create the innovative program, the Children’s Domestic Violence Response Team (CDVRT), a pioneering program in which SMH collaborates with domestic violence advocacy agencies county wide to provide integrated mental health treatment and domestic violence advocacy services.
The award is named for Kimble, a former executive director who was a tireless and passionate domestic violence advocate and a key figure in building strategic alliances to improve domestic violence services in the region.
Heinisch, a resident of Burien, was presented with the second annual Jennifer Politakis Hero Award for his distinguished career, which has been dedicated to supporting families and youth in South King County through an innovative mix of counseling services, after-school programs, transitional housing programs and early education initiatives.
The award – named after Politakis, a former board member known for her tenacity and drive to create safe havens for abused women – is presented to those individuals who exemplify the same tireless devotion to supporting survivors of domestic violence.
“DAWN knows that no one organization can end domestic violence alone,” Coleman said. “It takes the collaboration and expertise of partner organizations like Sound Mental Health and Kent Youth and Family Services, and the community at large. DAWN is grateful for the shared commitment to safety, empowerment and peace.
About DAWN
A registered nonprofit organization, DAWN provides comprehensive domestic violence services, including children’s programs, 24-hour Advocacy & Crisis Line and emergency shelter for domestic violence victims in South King County.
DAWN’s clients come from all social, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Most have children, over a third of whom are under age 5. Though its primary service area is South King County, DAWN often works with clients from other areas if they have no local domestic violence resources, or because it is not safe to stay near their homes.
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