ROANOKE, VA – Updated Story:
After more than a decade of supporting survivors and families in crisis, the Roanoke-based nonprofit Domestic Abuse Disruption, or D.A.D, Inc., will close its doors at the end of September.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the impact he’s had on my life,” Domestic Abuse survivor Beth Nelson said.
For the past seven years, Nelson has faced some of the toughest battles of her life while leaving an abusive relationship.
Along the way, D.A.D. stepped in to walk beside her.
“Trey has walked with me through courtroom doors over 30 times. Every court hearing is different, every situation is different, but Trey helped me stand and walk when I didn’t think I could,” Nelson said.
Over the last 13 years, D.A.D. has helped hundreds of women escape — and stay free from — abusive situations. And it all began with founder Trey Gregory.
“We have helped repair cars so they could leave. We have moved entire households at one time, and everything free of charge. That was the big thing. They didn’t have money to get them going,” Gregory said.
It’s work he never expected to grow so large.
“We figured it would be small scale, maybe a call here and there,” Gregory said.
Now, that journey is nearing its end.
Because of ongoing health challenges, Gregory made the difficult decision that September will be D.A.D.’s final month.
“I do not feel at this point that I can adequately provide those services the way we have, and I do not want to become a detriment, I do not want to be a false sense of hope,” Gregory said.
For the women he’s stood beside, Gregory’s impact has become a lasting part of their lives.
“Trey’s one of those guys that you want in your corner, but you don’t want to be across the table from him. I don’t know if I would have been able to continue pushing forward if I hadn’t had someone like Trey,” Nelson said.
But Gregory says those women have left just as deep an impact on him.
“Not only the women, but the children that we were able to get out of those situations. It was a privilege and an honor to be someone you could rely on,” Gregory said.
Nelson says D.A.D.’s impact will last far beyond their last day.
“Trey is literally one in a million and the impact and the legacy that he is leaving in the lives of these women and the ripple effect that his role in these women’s lives have played can never be replaced,” she said.
D.A.D. will keep working with the women already in their care through the end of September, but they won’t be taking on any new cases
You can still support the organization financially until the end of September.
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Original Story:
After more than a decade of supporting survivors and families in crisis, the Roanoke-based nonprofit Domestic Abuse Disruption, or D.A.D, Inc., will close its doors at the end of September.
Founded in September 2012, the organization—known for its hands-on assistance with everything from emergency escorts and danger assessments to financial help with travel, utilities, groceries, clothing, holiday assistance, and car repairs—will end operations after 155 months of service.
During its time in the community, D.A.D. provided services to thousands of people and offered its well-known “Cheat Technique Class” to more than 2,000 women.
Founder Trey Gregory announced the decision on Facebook in a heartfelt message, citing ongoing health challenges that have made it difficult to continue leading the organization at the same level.
The nonprofit will continue assisting individuals already on its schedule through the month of September but will not be taking on new cases.
Gregory expressed deep gratitude to volunteers, donors, and community partners who made the organization’s work possible, saying their support ensured that “she is not alone.”
Supporters are welcome to help D.A.D. finish its final month of service.