Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project

DVRP is a nonprofit organization that provides unique services to DV survivors. It is an organization that has saved many lives. The staff, volunteers and Board Member go above and beyond constantly because they believe in the mission. The organization consistently adapts and provides many useful services for DV survivors.

For over twenty years, DVRP has provided critical language and culturally appropriate support to survivors of domestic violence and their communities. All of this has been done with limited resources and through the extreme commitment of its staff, volunteers, board members, and allies.

DVRP provides excellent service to clients, filling a gap in support for some of the most under-served and vulnerable members of the community: victims of domestic violence in the various Asian and Pacific Islander communities living in the greater Washington, DC area.

Thanks to today's political climate, there is a growing awareness of the unique struggles faced by various immigrant communities. DVRP has been addressing the problems of members of linguistic and cultural minority groups, in particular (because of the level of need rather than the mission of the organization) women, for years. They are recognized for their particular expertise in providing services in a fashion that takes into account the culture of the client, an expertise they share with other organizations in the area. This means that not only do their clients get better service but the broader community benefits as other organizations' capabilities are improved by DVRP's work. Without factoring in the client's culture, the service provider will miss important cues from their clients, and may keep them from seeking assistance or even make their situation worse through re-traumatization or unintentionally exposing them to danger.

The dedicated staff and their network of volunteers stretch the funding they get, doing more with less than I have seen from any other group I have worked with. I started to contribute to DVRP because I knew people who would not be able to get the protection the government affords victims without DVRP's assistance. I continue to support them because I have seen that DVRP's impact extends beyond just the individuals they work with directly to expanding the capacity of other organizations helping other communities.

My family was introduced to DVRP and their work through a current employee, several years back. We've been very impressed by the work that DVRP is doing and the services they provide under very tight financial constraints. We've been donors for several years. DVRP is also the nonprofit I have under our Amazon Smile account. So, every time we purchase from Amazon, a small percentage is donated to the organization. I wish them all well and hope they continue to do the wonderful job they are doing. Their dedication to the cause of serving women of domestic violence is impressive. I hope they can get all the funding they need to continue their work helping the women in desperate conditions.

DVRP is doing such great work helping the Asian/Pacific Islander community. Domestic violence is still a very taboo subject in these community but DVRP handles everything with much sensitivity.

I grew up in Afghanistan where violence against women is widespread throughout the country. Women are still imprisoned for dating or for refusing to submit to forced/arranged marriages. This trend is prevalent in Afghanistan and many South and East Asian countries. Unfortunately. some of the families who migrate to the U.S. from these countries continue these abusive practices that include forced marriages, physical violence, and other forms of oppression. That is when DVRP's services come in. The staff at DVRP are dedicated and professional and are so incredibly important in advocating for the rights of the women whom, in most cases, have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. I trust this organization and believe there is a dire need in our community for their services.

A friend introduced me to DVRP a few years ago, and I'll always be thankful for that. It was through their resources and advice that I was able to gain awareness and strength I needed to get out of an unhealthy relationship. Thanks DVRP for all that you do!

A/PI DVRP is a rare find. I volunteered as a program assistant for 3 months, and I must say that this organization is one of true compassion and integrity. Covering a niche area has given DVRP the opportunity to ask important questions and innovate protocols to truly be culturally humble and survivor-centered. The staff work tirelessly to meet the needs of survivors and work to expand to new communities and meet an even greater need. Moreover, their expertise in language access and cultural humility shows by the technical training they provide to other mainstream DV/SA service providers. The actions and outcomes from the DVRP staff speak for themselves and truly demonstrate their admirable and innovative work.

I have been associated with DVRP for a year now. I found the members and the volunteers all very accepting of who you are and wonderful listeners with no judgment. The more experienced members/volunteers are always willing to impart their knowledge to help you. I am proud to be a DVRP volunteer and honored to be associated with such wonderful people.

DVRP team is very professional and friendly. I have been associated with them for almost two years now and I am always encouraged by them to take on step ahead in my life! They are very supportive group.

This is the first time I serve on the board of a nonprofit organization, and I could not have picked a better one. Not only are they focusing on an underserved segment of the population in the tri-state area (VA, MD, DC), but they are doing it with a lot of passion, love and dedication. I commend the staff for their hard work and commitment to their beneficiaries and the board for their high level of involvement and commitment to the organization.

I'm so proud to serve as a board member for a nonprofit with such a worthy mission: to address, prevent, and end domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities while empowering survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse. DVRP has an incredibly dedicated and talented staff. In spite of many challenges, the organization has consistently grown each year, and in 2016, reached 3,000 community members with our programs. The small but mighty staff of seven provides free and confidential service in over 20 Asian/Pacific Islander languages, cultural competency and domestic violence trainings to service providers, law enforcement and Asian/Pacific Islander community-based organizations, and extensive community outreach. I'm truly amazed by how much they do for the community each year.

DVRP's dedicated staff provides essential services for Asian Pacific Islander domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. DVRP's three-pronged approach of providing case management, outreach and training fills a critical void in the DC metropolitan area, as DVRP is the only pan-Asian focused organization providing these services. I continued to be inspired and encouraged by the staff and Board of DVRP.

By volunteering than get to know this organization more deeply, and just really appreciate the service they provide for the domestic violent victims which is above and beyond than what they can ask for. Everyone working there are so committed, dedicated and fill with love and passion for what they do. DVRP has been giving hopes for so many people whom can start a new life again.

DVRP is the only organization in the DC Metro area providing crucial services to victims of gender-based violence who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. The commitment of volunteers, staff, and Board to providing culturally competent and evidence-based practices is unrivaled. The organization has had to face several stumbling blocks (lack of ED transition, funding cuts, and staff turnover), but the community rallied for the doors to remain open because they believed in the need for the services.

DVRP's staff are committed and dedicated and go above and beyond the call of duty to provide support, care, and indeed lifesaving services to a very vulnerable population. Since joining the board earlier this year, I have been impressed with the long term vision and day to day work alike.

I have been part of the Board of Directors for DVRP since the beginning of 2013. The organization and its leadership are guided by a strong mission and unique methodology that prioritizes the various needs of domestic violence survivors in the API community. It continues to be a one-of-a-kind organization that provides both direct services and outreach and education in the community at large. I continue to be impressed with the level of engagement by staff and advocates, the presence in the community, and the breadth and depth of relationships with other allied organizations DVRP has cultivated in a short time. As someone who has worked in the non-profit sector my entire career, it is especially heartening to see a non-profit utilize financial savvy to continue expanding programs, administer such effective services, and serve as a strong community voice for API's and the issue of domestic violence. DVRP is a critical anchor in the DMV area and deserves immense recognition for its dedication and results.

This organization serves a very neglected segment of our population and has provided the support needed through its dedicated staff and board members. I was first introduced to this group through an existing board member, who was very moved by the mission of this organization and wanted to play a key role in educating the public about domestic abuse especially in the Asian Pacific Islander subsegment of our community. I applaud the work this group is doing and would encourage all of you to join forces and support this organization.

I was introduced to DVRP almost a decade ago. I've been impressed by the commitment of the board and the executive director and volunteers in providing and expanding domestic violence services to the Asian Pacific Islander community. I hope that DVRP continues to receive support in expanding it's services and meeting it's mission of targeting domestic violence in the API community.

I joined the Board of DVRP in 2013. DVRP is supported by an extremely talented and dedicated staff and team of volunteers and advocates. The organization provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to Asian/Pacific Islander survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and in doing so, fills a very important need. In 2012, DVRP assisted 159 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, a record high in DVRP's 17 year history. It is an honor and inspiration to work for such an organization and with such talented people.

I was introduced to the DVRP through a current board member and have to say that I am tremendously impressed with the organization, its staff and board.

Above all else, the dedication of DVRP to its mission and clients is exceptional. I work for the federal government in DC and have been involved or am familiar with most of the A/PI-focused organizations. I can say without hesitation that DVRP is absolutely among the best-run and, in my opinion, perhaps the most important because of its critical mission and its under-served client-base.

DVRP works incredibly hard to provide much-needed support and services to Asian/Pacific Islander survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the DC-MD-VA area. DVRP doubled the number of survivors served last year despite funding challenges and continues to expand its assistance to diverse members of the A/PI community in 20 languages. I am inspired by the commitment of my colleagues on the board, as well as the vision and dedication of our Executive Director and meaningful contributions of our staff, volunteers and advocates.

I served on DVRP's board from 2008-10 and I continue to stay in touch with the organization. It has pulled off an impressive feat by not only remaining in existence when other DV orgs in the area folded, but thriving as it charges ahead with new and redefined services. Personally, I am thrilled to see that DVRP recently installed an executive director after going for years without one! And they are also increasing the staff size, which will ensure the organization's services reach more people than ever. I look forward to celebrating many more successes to come, and will continue supporting this fantastic organization.

DVRP has a group of very dedicated employees who always put the survivors first. I have never met more hardworking people in my life. Everyone I have met who has ever been a part of DVRP is so invested in the cause. I had the pleasure of hearing what some of the survivors had to say about the organization and a constant theme is how much they felt encouraged, inspired, and properly cared for by this organization. It's this personal touch that makes DVRP so distinct and such a great organization.

I had the honor of joining the board of the A/PI DVRP in August of 2013, having been inspired by the spirit and dedication of DVRP's staff, fellow board members, advocates, volunteers, and survivors.

The A/PI DVRP provides specific services that - without exaggeration - are life-altering for many survivors. There is - again, without exaggeration - nowhere that these brave individuals can turn to that provides the breadth or depth of culturally-specific services that the DVRP does.

DVRP is as resilient as the people it helps: survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Having been involved with the organization for several years, I have had the privilege to work with dedicated staff members, advocates, board members, and volunteers- all of whom devote long hours to keep the organization running as smoothly as possible. DVRP has come a long way since I joined in 2008 and I can't wait to see how far it grows and thrives in the coming years. Keep up the great work, DVRP!

Despite having a small staff, I've seen firsthand the amount of effort and care that DVRP members put into upholding the mission statement. The Asian Pacific Islander population is steadily growing in the DC metropolitan area and it's great that DVRP is becoming even more visible in the community. This visibility is attributed to the commitment and leadership of DVRP Staff, Board, and Advocates.

I'm on the Board of DVRP and am thrilled to be working with such an incredibly important organization. DVRP has very dedicated and talented staff, volunteers and advocates. As the only pan-Asian organization that provides culturally competent services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian and Pacific Islander communities in DC, MD and VA, DVRP fills such an important need, and it truly is an honor to be working with the organization.

I first served as a Bilingual Advocate with 40+ hours of training to advocate for survivors of domestic violence. I took on a survivor and my life has forever changed. I learned quickly that my presence in my survivor's life is essentially crucial. With similar cultural backgrounds, I was able to provide direct service and have a good rapport with my survivor who is need of assistance that was culturally competent.

Now I am currently serving as a Community Ambassador working on special events.
With years of wanting to do something about domestic violence in the Asian/Pacific Islander community, but did not know where to begin, DVRP and it's leaders gave me the opportunity to make this dream happen. I have seen the wonderful work that DVRP does first hand. DVRP has given me hope that we can be a step closer in ending violence.

I was an intern with DVRP for one summer and truly believe that this organization is helping the Asian/Pacific Islander women of the DC area. As a part of my internship I conducted survivor surveys to see how our services were working for them and always was given great reviews. The advocates were all very helpful and passionate about what they were doing.

DVRP has always been an organization whose mission, vision, programs and goals were driven by survivors. The staff, board members and advocates often go above and beyond what is required in order to ensure that the needs of domestic violence survivors are being adequately met. In this economy, this isn't always easy, especially when competition for grants and donations are higher than ever in the non-profit world. Yet, even with very limited resources, DVRP has successfully implemented their programs and has not turned away any A/PI survivors from services (even when it meant that staff and advocates had to make personal sacrifices in order to ensure that survivors are safe). This is definitely a non-profit to support and watch in the coming year!

I have become familiar with DVRP over the past three years and am very impressed with the services that are offered for the Asian-Pacific Islanders that are in need of support when dealing with the crisis and challenges around domestic violence. I know that they offer services to aid clients in providing a confidential and safe place to receive help, along with language services (interpreters) and the staff is extremely dedicated in serving this community. I have attended several fundraisers and events promoting the awareness of DVRP, and was touched as well as enlightened to the extent in which this community pulls together for its people; so many lives have been changed and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this organization.

I have been nothing but impressed with the professionalism of DVRP advocates and staff. They provide crucial services to an under-served population in the DC area and do so with an eye for culture, language, and other factors that are so often overlooked. Their model of working one-on-one to meet the needs of their clients and their holistic approach are much-needed additions to the services available to survivors of domestic violence.

I've been involved with DVRP as a volunteer for a little over a year and have been very impressed by the work the staff, advocates, and board put forth. With minimal staff and interns, DVRP fills the void within the DC Metropolitan area for domestic violence within the A/PI community.

DVRP is a unique organization that provides needed services to empower survivors of domestic violence in our community. As a former Board member, I worked with dedicated DVRP staff, past and present Board members and numerous community supporters to help sustain the organization during difficult economic times. I worked with diverse, passionate women at DVRP whose commitment to the organization was inspiring. The organization is resilient and with continued support it will be able to provide effective services to our community.

DVRP does a wonderful job of filling an important need of our local community. I think the work they do, helping those suffering from domestic violence, is one of the more important needs in our community. If it was not for this organization, many women would be suffering silently. My experiences attending fund-raisers and awareness events has shown me how dedicated the members of this organization are to their mission.

In my experiences with DVRP, I have been consistently impressed with the level of commitment, quality, and heart of the individuals who volunteer and work there.