On Friday, more than 75 volunteers representing nearly 20 agencies on the Dallas County Family Violence Prevention Council (FVPC) participated in a day of service called One Community One Cause benefiting the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. The Family Violence Prevention Council consists of more than 20 agencies and institutions that aim to comprehensively address family violence throughout the life span, from child abuse to intimate partner violence and elder abuse. By coming together to partner with Habitat for Humanity, the FVPC hopes to reinforce that you cannot have a safe neighborhood if you do not have safe homes.

“We hope that the One Community One Cause day of service will heighten awareness of domestic violence resources in the Dallas community,” said Anne Crews, Chair of the Dallas County FVPC. “Working with Habitat for Humanity is a logical next step for the FVPC because when we all work together, we can provide wraparound services to survivors of domestic violence and make a lasting impact right here in our own backyard.”

Sixty volunteers put the final coats of paint on two houses in West Dallas through A Brush with Kindness, Dallas Habitat’s exterior home repair program. This program provides new roofs, siding, painting and wheelchair ramps and is available to homeowners who would otherwise be unable to maintain or stay in their home. Repairs are made with the goal of improving the integrity and safety of the homes. All volunteers were staff members from agencies representing the Dallas County FVPC such as Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, The Salvation Army and Families to Freedom.

“Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes and believes home ownership is a catalyst for community transformation,” said Dave Crawford, CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. “The One Community One Cause day of service is contributing to safe houses and communities while empowering residents, and we are grateful to partner with these organizations.”

In addition to the sixty volunteers working with A Brush with Kindness to paint the exterior of the houses, dozens of additional volunteers prepared and served lunch and cleaned up litter from around the neighborhood. To see photos and follow the day of service on social media, use #OneCommunityOneCause.

Posted in Domestic Violence, Volunteer