I spoke with the Executive Director of the Dawn Center, Shannon Sokolowski recently about about new additions and programs coming to the center. The new additions include facilities for dogs and cats, a financial literacy program and a pro bono attorney designated for Hernando County victims of domestic violence. The owners of the Brooksville Florist building in downtown Brooksville have donated the property to the Dawn Center to use as their legal services office.
Dog Run and Kitty Cottage
About eighteen months ago, Ms. Sokolowski mentioned at an address to the Rotary Club of Brooksville, “Very often we find that a victim (of domestic violence) will not leave if they know they cannot bring their pets with them.” Now, a $20,000 grant from Rotary International has removed this barrier for many women, as a kennel facility has been built on the grounds of the residence.
The kennel is comprised of the more warmly named “Dog Run” and “Kitty Cottage”, which provide shelter and safe play areas for dogs and cats of the women residing at the Dawn Center. Ms. Sokolowski also hopes that this will also provide psychological support to the survivors, who will be able to care for and play with their pets during their stay.
According to Rotary International’s announcement on their website, Proud Pelican Construction, Coastal Engineering, Nicholson Engineering, and Daniels Construction were among the businesses that contributed to this construction project.
Economic Justice
The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) lists The Dawn Center as one of 42 state certified centers in Florida. Recently, the FCADV held a listening project to talk to survivors about which needs are being met and what barriers are encountered.
Financial concern is another barrier to a victim of domestic violence seeking assistance. Often, there is financial reliance on an abusive partner, or a partner has caused financial hardship, or even held a victim back from educational goals.
In October 2016, the center sought funding for an Economic Empowerment program, which allowed for the hiring of an in-house candidate to train survivors of domestic violence in financial literacy. The program, “Moving Ahead through Financial Management” teaches survivors budgeting, money management and even investing.
The program also teaches general literacy, which will be rolled out this month.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Also born of the Listening Project, The Dawn Center will be launching a program to provide pro bono legal services to survivors. These services are currently available through Community Legal Services of Mid Florida, which currently staffs one attorney for multiple counties.
The hiring of at least one full-time attorney exclusively for Hernando County survivors will provide more timely service, and is expected to provide a 24 hour response time.
Caitlyn Wilcox is the attorney for the Injunction for Protection (IFP) Project at the Dawn Center, whose temporary office is currently within the Hernando County Courthouse. Ms. Wilcox will continue to assist survivors with Injunctions for Protection, commonly called “restraining orders.” She will also provide other legal services for issues faced by survivors of domestic, sexual and dating violence, who sometimes face their abusers in court unrepresented.
Hearing of the Dawn’s Center plan, the now-retired owners of the Brooksville Flower Shop have donated the building for this project. The nearly 100 year old building “needs a lot of love” said Ms. Sokolowski, and also cited the need also for renovations to bring the building into ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance.
The new offices will have a kid-friendly reception area, naturally lit conference room, and two spacious offices, as well as ample storage and kitchen area. Since the project is partially funded, an estimated $50,000 will need to be raised by the Dawn Center.