As purple lights shine on Vashon, DOVE Project marks 10 years

Throughout the past 10 years, DOVE has met islanders’ needs by expanding its services.

By Tami Brockway Joyce For the DOVE Project • October 4, 2022 1:30 pm
In 2021, DOVE’s team members gathered to celebrate October’s First Friday, after helping local businesses set up signage and purple lights to show awareness and support for survivors of domestic violence. This month, DOVE staffers and board members will celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary with three events, and help string up more purple lights (Tom Hughes Photo).
In 2021, DOVE’s team members gathered to celebrate October’s First Friday, after helping local businesses set up signage and purple lights to show awareness and support for survivors of domestic violence. This month, DOVE staffers and board members will celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary with three events, and help string up more purple lights (Tom Hughes Photo).

Each October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on survivor stories and the many options for education and support that are available.

On Vashon, Vashon’s DOVE Project leads the charge in this effort, as October also marks the organization’s 10th anniversary of working toward a safer and stronger Vashon.

“Domestic violence affects us all,” said Rashaun Renggli, DOVE’s community advocate. “It affects our family members, friends, co-workers. Everyone, whether they know it or not, cares about someone who has had to navigate some form of domestic abuse.”

Throughout the past 10 years, DOVE has met islanders’ needs by expanding its services.

These include advocacy for survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault; mental health access vouchers; in-house mental health support for trauma; wellness offerings and violence prevention education for children and youth.

Along with all that has been outreach and frequent community events — all aimed at inclusivity, belonging and connection.

The nonprofit has several events coming up, to amplify that mission and celebrate its decade of service on Vashon.

On Friday, Oct. 6, during the First Friday gallery cruise hours, islanders are invited to a special event at DOVE’s office, at 17311 Vashon Hwy SW.

It’s a chance to meet DOVE staff and board members, view pieces from West McLean’s Vashon Remembrance Project, and listen to live music by Ken Jacobsen.

The Vashon Remembrance Project memorializes Black people killed by law enforcement through portraits and facts about their lives.

“It’s no stretch to see correlations between domestic violence and police violence — the abuse of power, the physical violations being the most obvious,“ said McLean. “Both are symptoms of a larger societal failure and disregard for bodily autonomy, consent, and personal safety.”

Heidi Jackson, DOVE’s executive director, agreed.

“As we head into Domestic Violence Awareness month, it’s appropriate to highlight the brutality that hides in silence, both from racism and domestic violence,” she said.

On October 8, comes DOVE’s 5th annual fundraiser, “Share Hope: Celebrating 10 Years of Safe Harbor,” — an evening of illumination including hors d’oeuvres catered by Chef Chantel Jackson, libations from Dragon’s Head Cider and Pollard Wine, sweet treats from Jefferson Cakepan and ambient music by Andrew Reissiger.

The event, at Open Space for Arts & Community, will feature survivor stories and culminate in a musical performance by Ara James, called “a vocal treasure…with a depth and range like no other” by WQED’s Morry Feldman. Jamie Stillway, who Fretboard Journal called “one of the best fingerstyle guitarists around today,” will join James in the concert.

Also coming up is “Growing Together,” a workshop for high school freshmen and their adult support people, happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, at DOVE’s office.

This skill-building workshop will focus on tough conversations around sexual health and the shifting roles of caregivers as youth move toward adulthood and includes lunch, generously provided by O Sole Mio. Teen participants will also receive a $40 gift card.

Finally, DOVE plans to bathe the town in purple lights again in October — an annual effort supported by 50 island businesses that will string up purple lights and display signage to raise awareness about domestic violence.

“I love to see the town lit up purple,” said Amy Gilman, of Herban Bloom. “It’s one way we can show that we support DOVE— they do such important work on this island, and it lets people know that we’re a safe place. It’s a powerful visual, a way for us to say ‘we believe survivors.’”

And while the staff at DOVE is excited by all the happenings it will host this month, they also know their work will continue after many of the purple lights around town come down in a few weeks.

“Our job at DOVE is to foster social change and to educate the Vashon community on where to find resources, to help people understand their options, and to celebrate those survivors who have traversed these experiences,” said Renggli. “Not just in October. Every day. ”

For more details on all of DOVE’s October events, and to access DOVE’s services, visit vashondoveproject.org.