By Jan Loiselle
Northside News
December 2011/January 2012

Jewelers Workshop designed a signature charm for DAIS that can be worn on a bracelet or necklace. The piece captures a sense of freedom and transformation and includes an element of the DAIS logo with an amethyst stone that signifies domestic abuse awareness. Half of the proceeds will be donated to DAIS and provide an ongoing source of revenue.

It is never easy to knock on a door and ask a small business for support – let alone when that business is not familiar with your organization.  Yet that is exactly what happened this spring when a DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) staff member approached Jewelers Workshop.  And they certainly did answer the door!

When Jason Braden of Jewelers Workshop, 301 N. Sherman Ave. first encountered DAIS, the request was for a contribution of a small piece of jewelry for the Merrill Lynch Grand Gala Silent Auction. Immediately Braden suggested they could do better.

“We didn’t know DAIS but certainly knew that domestic violence has a serious impact on our community. When we learned they were trying to buy the Sears building down the street and they might be new neighbors, we were in,” Braden said.  “We couldn’t think of a better way to say welcome to the neighborhood and thanks for helping make our community better. “

Jewelers Workshop started out big supporting DAIS and then went bigger.  They gave gift cards to all 600 Gala attendees and donated a percentage of sales to DAIS.  Then in June they designed a necklace that helped raise several thousand dollars at the annual Celebrate Independence! Luncheon. Now this generous, welcoming neighbor has designed a signature charm for DAIS that can be worn on a bracelet or necklace.  The charm costs $80 and half of that amount will be donated to DAIS and provide an ongoing source of revenue. The piece captures a sense of freedom and transformation and includes an element of the DAIS logo with an amethyst stone that signifies domestic abuse awareness.

This summer DAIS closed on the building across from Webcrafters at 2102 Fordem Ave. and already this site looks better after years of being vacant. DAIS plans to open the 35,000 square foot facility by the end of 2013. In addition to providing 56 emergency-shelter beds for women who have experienced domestic abuse and their children, the facility will offer room for increased program and support services.

This location was chosen because it is a central location for Dane County,  close to community services, adjacent to Center for Families and part of the welcoming Northside. DAIS will bring jobs to the neighborhood and increase local retail and restaurant sales.

To order a charm and support DAIS or to simply thank Jewelers Workshop for being such a great Northside ambassador, call 251-7705 or contact them at jewelers@jewelersworkshop.com.