Who We Are

We seek to address the cycles of abuse, homelessness, and poverty in a proactive and nimble way, meeting our clients where they are and offering them support that enables long-term stability.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people. Learn more about our work.

Equity

Doorways pursues justice and fairness. We make an intentional effort to provide services and support to everyone, especially those in our community who have been marginalized.

Empathy

The Doorways team treats everyone with care. This means being nonjudgmental and being actively present to support our clients. We show concern, understanding, and grace with one another. And it means we have cultural humility and embrace equity.

Trauma-Informed Care

Our team uses a strengths-based and person-centered approach and is focused on client well-being. We are committed to addressing both current and lasting impacts of past injustices, particularly racial injustices, to ensure everyone can achieve safety and stability.

Collaboration

We take a partnership approach with clients, staff, teams, and community collaborators. The Doorways team embraces opportunities to contribute, work side-by-side, and support each other to serve the common good and achieve our personal best.

Empowerment

We seek to provide clients with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to be self-advocates. Our team trusts and supports clients and survivors to have agency over their lives.

Integrity & Accountability

The Doorways team thrives on always telling the truth, doing what we say we will do, being genuine, and embracing accountability.

Respect

We treat others the way we want to be treated. Our team trusts our clients and elevates dignity and humanity in all we do and how we do it. We cherish and value every team member.

Doorways is committed to creating an environment that provides culturally responsive services that are inclusive and non-stigmatizing to all clients regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, gender and gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, or disability, as well as to others from diverse backgrounds. Learn more.

We welcome and serve all clients who access services, including clients of all sexual orientations, including, but not limited to, those who are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, and questioning, as well as gender-conforming, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, transgender, and transitioning individuals.