DAIS’ Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

Empower those affected by domestic violence and advocate for social change through support, education, and outreach.

Vision

A nonviolent community that actively promotes safety, peace, justice, and hope.

Values

Mutual Respect We believe the basis for our effective working relationships, within the organization and with our external stakeholders, is a shared knowledge and appreciation for individual differences. We believe individuals have the right to make their own choices concerning personal safety and how they live their lives. We strive to create and foster relationships based in understanding and appreciation for both self and others.

Openness We believe that in serving the community and each other, we benefit from being receptive and responsive to ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, and experiences. We are accountable not only to our funders and donors, but also to each other as well as the people we serve and our community. We strive to foster an environment where people feel at ease to share opinions and to question.

Collaboration We believe in the equal distribution of power and privilege throughout society and believe that by working together with each other and with our community partners, we can achieve more than working independently. We strive to create an environment where people exchange strengths and complement other’s weaknesses without judgment and with a shared commitment to the purpose.

Shared Responsibility Domestic abuse is a community issue. All members of the community, including abusers, must take responsibility. We work with volunteers, individuals, co-workers, community groups and systems to fulfill our mission and strive toward our vision. We believe that we all have a part to play in creating a safe and peaceful community.

The Dane County Food Collective was founded in 2022 with the mission of working for the betterment of our local food system. While the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for many restaurants, it was also a catalyst for innovation. Together, food industry leaders came together and decided that it was easier to work together than to try and overcome these challenges on their own, and the Dane County Food Collective was born.

The collective brings together stakeholders from throughout the local community and food industry including chefs, food business owners, value added producers, farmers, and leaders in food to tackle the difficult challenges facing our local food system and to innovate for a more sustainable food system of tomorrow.

Our work is done through advocacy, collective action, resource and information sharing. We prioritize economic viability, social justice and the mental and physical well-being of those who work in the food industry and live in our community. Our goal is a stronger, more resilient and equitable food system.