I serve on the Board of Directors for Direct Action Welfare Group because I want to contribute my time and energy to an organization that is making real change in people's lives in my state. Instead of focusing only on immediate need and being a band-aid type of organization, Direct Action Welfare Group looks at the big picture and asks why are people hungry, why are people poor, and why are there no jobs.
DAWG helped me get back in school and how to talk to important people in my community. Since getting with DAWG I am not afraid to talk to legislators and let them know what its like for me and my kids.
DAWG is vital to ensuring that the voice of poor people is heard in WV. DAWG is poor people organizing with poor people to stand up for poor people and demand change.
I learned about dawg about 4 years ago when they help my neighbor with a slumlord they fought and won I really thought that it was a thoughtful thing to do.
Wonderful group of people, will help you in any possible way they can! Love y'all keep up the wonderful work!
The DAWG organization has helped to learn about the WV Houding development Fund and I in turn has helped assist three people to buy a home, who was turned down for conventional loans due to limited income that is atpoverty level. It was fun and very informative going to and sssisting in homeowners workshops. Evelyn Dortch spent some of her personal time answering questions and being able to refer me to others who wo uld help me make some dreams come true. I highly recommend this non profit to do volunteer work.
This nonprofit has helped so many folks who are marginalized to empower each others' voices. They work tirelessly to organize communities so that they can empower themselves to overcome the stigmas of poverty and recognize their own worth as human beings. Wherever they go, telling their stories, they gain support from others with stories to tell, and foster recognition that we are all suffering for lack of human rights and dignity in this country. The have been successful at overcoming sterotypes which disempower groups that are traditionally marginalized, and have lead with love, inspiring others to do the same. They have grown from a local organization to one that is recognized by human rights allies nationwide. They have provided support and solidarity to those struggling with oppression from the systems in place which do not respond to their clients with respect or dignity. DAWG has changed and continues to change that situation. I cannot speak highly enough of the work they have done wich spans all age groups, ethnicities and educational levels. They foster a unification of welfare parents and teens that would not otherwise be possible, and which continues striving to change the social injustices of the systems within which we all live.
The Direct Action Welfare Group succeeds in doing what is often so terribly difficult in social services: to involve and inspire consumers and clients to take a personal interest in improving service delivery system for the benefit of all. "DAWG" does this by educating consumers, creating leadership opportunities, advocating for good social policy development, and encouraging consumers to become fully participating citizens. The importance of this work cannot be overstated: creating an atmosphere of self-reliance on the part of vulnerable people and families, and demonstrating the value of shared responsibility to the public at large.
I had the good fortune of knowing "the DAWGs" since they were a small group of welfare moms meeting wherever they could to help each other survive. For these 20 years or so, they have continued to do that--while becoming a powerful force in the movement to end poverty. Deeply rooted in West Virginia, their vision and influence extend across the USA and beyond. I love them!
I love this organization. I have been working with this organization since I was I was a child. My mother is one of the founders so this group is close to my heart. They have done so much good for our state and nationally. DAWG is for poor people by poor people. DAWG was incorporated in 2002 but the women who formed DAWG had been organizing before incorporation.
DAWG really gets it. They understand what its like to be poor and have to make it. They're not like all these others ran by people with money who just want to help poor people. DAWG is poor people. Its so cool to find a place that knows what its like and really wants to help change things for us.
I came to WV 2 and half years ago. DAWG has been helping me with housing issues, social security, and navigating the social service system. Every time I needed them they were there to help and answer questions.
This organization reaches out to several communities educating the public on tenant rights, rights on receiving public assistance, and etc. They provide guest speakers and educational material and workshops that are very informative and useful. They help the poor and the low-income individuals and families. They are there with open arms and a smile and never turn anyone down.