Please join us for a luncheon featuring an overview and discussion of how funders have come together to support systemic change on the twin traumas of domestic violence and family homelessness, resulting in game-changing innovation, children’s resiliency, and cost-efficiencies.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Over the past five years, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence has piloted a new approach called “Domestic Violence Housing First” with 13 urban, rural, and Tribal agencies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as Medina Foundation, Horizons Foundation, OneFamily Foundation, Empire Health Foundation, and other funders. The flexible DV Housing First model has helped survivors and their children rapidly access new housing - or surprisingly, stay in their own homes - while still maintaining safety and stability, and often bypassing emergency shelters. Because of the very promising results, funders are coming together with WSCADV to launch a five-year demonstration and research project in 2015. This project will increase housing stability for survivors and their families through an exciting collaboration of domestic violence, housing/homelessness and other critical human services.

The need for sustainable solutions is great, and for the philanthropic community, important questions remain: What supports children's resiliency after the traumas of violence and family homelessness? What supports collaboration among front-line providers that traditionally operate separately? How can funders of all sizes support immediate human needs as well as long-term, systemic change?

Although we will be discussing a Washington state project, funders in other states who are interested in this new approach are welcome to participate.

Featured speakers:

• Marie Sauter, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Jennifer Teunon, Medina Foundation
• Nan Stoops and Linda Olsen, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Our thanks to the Medina Foundation for providing lunch.

Please contact Lyn Hunter if you are interested in teleconference options.