WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) is excited to announce the unveiling of a new wellness garden at its Cornerstone residence in partnership with AvalonBay Communities, Studio39 Landscape Architecture and Ashton Manor Environmental.
DASH’s Cornerstone program provides access to 43-units of emergency-to-transitional safe housing and wrap around support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families in DC. In 2016, DASH’s Cornerstone program safely housed 159 survivors (62 Adults and 97 Children) away from the threat of violence while they rebuilt their lives on their own terms.
The project to renovate an underutilized outdoor space was spearheaded by AvalonBay Communities who brought on project partners Studio39 and Ashton Manor Environmental to design and construct a beautiful, multi-purpose outdoor wellness space for residents in DASH’s Cornerstone program. All of the project design, materials, and labor were generously donated through pro bono support from AvalonBay Communities, Studio39, Ashton Manor Environmental, and various local and national product vendors.
“We are so grateful to AvalonBay Communities, Studio39 Landscape Architecture, and Ashton Manor Environmental, our partners in this amazing effort. The wellness garden goes beyond aesthetics to provide a nurturing and re-centering space for the mind, body and spirit. Every detail encourages a deep sense of community while acknowledging the individual's need for a meditative environment. In this garden, residents can work on remaining grounded in the midst of chaos knowing that HOME MEANS SAFETY,” said Koube Ngaaje, DASH’s Executive Director.
“It’s been very rewarding to partner with Studio39 and Ashton Manor Environmental to re-imagine the outdoor space at DASH’s Cornerstone residence and turn it into a place that residents can enjoy as they work to rebuild their lives on their own terms,” said Kurt Conway, AvalonBay’s Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and DASH board member.
“Being able to create a space for DASH has been a very gratifying process. This contemplative space exemplifies what we strive to generate and achieve in a lot of landscape designs—a place where people can go to escape the busy environment for a quiet moment, a rest, or even just a breath of fresh air. This new space will offer residents that opportunity in the safety of their own 'home', and allow them to enjoy the company of their fellow survivors, helping further generate a sense of community, more positive life outcomes, and renewed health and contentment,” said Abby Thomas, Studio39 Landscape Designer.
“Ashton Manor is pleased to have been asked to perform this project for such a worthy cause. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from renovating a relatively unused space, and turning it into something that can be enjoyed by many residents for years to come. Our entire team at AME values these types of partnerships and what they mean to everyone,” said Eric DuBois, Vice President - Ashton Manor Environmental.
AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, is driven by its purpose of creating a better way to live and is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern and Southern California regions of the United States. As of June 30, 2017, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 287 apartment communities containing 83,123 apartment homes in 10 states and the District of Columbia, of which 23 communities were under development and nine communities were under redevelopment. www.avalonbay.com
STUDIO39's mission is to achieve successful placemaking, based on the guiding principles of best management practices and sustainable design. We strive to create spaces that fuse function and aesthetics. Our process allows us to create meaningful spaces that reflect sensitivity to the built and natural context though an understanding of scale, proportion, natural systems, materials and craftsmanship.
Ashton Manor Environmental is a full-service environmental landscape company serving the entire metro area, conveniently located in central Montgomery County, MD. AME recognizes their clients, employees and long-term partnerships as their most important assets, which has been key to repetitive business opportunities and relationship building. The Company was founded on the ability to meet the environmental landscape challenges unique to critical areas, the Chesapeake Bay & Anacostia region, as well as local beaches. AME’s projects and portfolio also includes large-scale commercial and residential landscape/hardscape installation, specialty amenities, and a tree work division. www.ashtonmanor.com
The District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) is an innovator in providing access to safe housing and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and their families, as they rebuild their lives on their own terms. We envision a culture where safe housing is a human right shared by everyone.
