Funding Request Update (as of April 22, 2010)!

- Doorways Supporters at the board meeting

Here is the latest news regarding Doorways budget request for this fiscal year.  First of all, thank you to everyone who wrote, called, emailed (or a combination of the three) the county board regarding the importance of bridging the funding gap at our Family Home and Safehouse.  The response from the community was overwhelming.  As a result the County board’s awareness was raised, even more than previously, about Arlington community’s depth and breadth of support for Doorways’ mission to end domestic violence and family homelessness.

In a recent meeting with County Board Members we learned that regrettably, given the current fiscal situation where there are numerous cuts across the County budget, they were not able—at this time—to allocate new resources.  However, they did express their commitment to continuing to work with Doorways and ensure the long-term stability of our shelters, particularly in the coming year.

In short, the campaign was a huge success in raising awareness among the County Board and our community regarding the importance of the Family Home and Safehouse remaining available to those who need them. 

Thank you again for speaking up for those with life-threatening needs whose voices too often go unheard!

The Impact Doorways’ Shelter Closing Could Have

- Family Home Bedroom

Arlington County would have to fund and provide more than 11,000 nights of temporary shelter per year for women, children and families. These families would not receive Doorways’ life-changing support services to end to the cycle of homelessness and domestic violence.

For every $1 the county invests, Doorways raises close to an additional $3 – this means Arlington County would have to pay 4 times as much to provide the services Doorways offers.

- Family at the Famiy Home

“Inadequate housing is the most common reason that children in Virginia enter foster care.” The number of children placed in foster care between 2007 and 2008 more than doubled Last year Doorways served 18 children who were in involved with Child Protective Services. Had these children ended up in foster care, it would have cost Arlington County nearly $1 million per year to provide for them.3 This figure does not take into account the long-term effects of trauma and disruption that are common for children in foster care.

Approximately 90 children would not receive the safe, stable housing and the intensive counseling and support services necessary to meet their profound needs.

If you would like to get involved and help with this effort or have questions, please contact Candice Lopez, Education and Outreach Director, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 703-522-8858.

Organize a Third Party Fundraiser

- Christ Church Turkey Trot to benefit Doorways.

Thank you for your interest in hosting a fundraising event to benefit Doorways for Women and Families.  By hosting a third party event you are helping raise critical funds we need to assist those most in need. We hope the following information will be helpful as you plan your event.

Organizing a Third Party Event

Third‐party events are sponsored or hosted by individuals, organizations or groups in support of Doorways for Women and Families. If you are interested in hosting a thirdparty event please submit a completed and signed Third Party Event Proposal Form.

Please take the following questions into consideration:

• Does the event support the mission and image of Doorways?
• What is your goal for this event?
  • Cash contributions
  • Gift Cards or In-kind Collection
  • Introducing people to Doorways

What Doorways can do for you:

• Acknowledge direct contributions to Doorways.
• Approve the use of our name/logo.
• Provide a letter to show the authenticity of your event.
• Provide Doorways’ informational materials for your event.
• Special Events Coordinator and/or appropriate staff member can consult with you about your event.
• In some cases, a Doorways staff member or volunteer may be able to attend your event.

Guidelines:

• As the originator of a third‐party event or project, you are considered the event organizer. The organization, promotion and execution of the event is your responsibility.
• Doorways cannot reimburse expenses incurred as part of a third‐party fundraiser and we appreciate your funding of the event. By doing so we are able to use our limited resources to help our clients.
• Whenever appropriate and within the context of Doorways’ larger fundraising and communications plan, Doorways will work to ensure its base of supporters are aware of the 3rd party event.
• Doorways has the right to protect the privacy of it’s clients, donors, volunteers, staff and all others affiliated with Doorways.
• Doorways does not sell or share any donor names or contact information for the third‐party fundraiser.
• Doorways needs to approve publicity materials and use of name and logo.

View more helpful hints for planning a third party event.

View the Third Party Fundraiser Propsal.

Previous third party events have included:

• Corporate or community collection drives
• Runs/walks
• House parties
• Restaurant’s donating proceeds of a night’s profit

Without the help from our neighbors and supporters Doorways would not be able to provide for those in need.

An expert shares things to look for if you think someone you know is being abused.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Each October we honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a variety of events.  Events we promote are listed below. Check back in September for dates for 2010 events.

Awareness Events

The Clothesline Project

A survivor of domestic violence is someone who has endured intimate partner violence such as sexual, physical, emotional, and/or financial abuse. A victim is someone who has lost his/her life at the mercy of their abuser. For almost 50 years the Clothesline Project has honored survivors and victims of domestic violence. The shirts, in this visual display, speak volumes to the diversity and deep impact that domestic violence has on individuals, families and communities. With this display, Doorways is publicly honoring and supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Information Booths:

Domestic violence affects everyone in the community. Discover what Doorways is doing to educate about and combat domestic violence in Arlington! Learn about volunteer opportunities with Doorways, donate old cell phones to families in need, and pledge to end violence by participating in the HandPrint Project. Stop by, step in, and step up to ending domestic violence in Arlington!

Silent Witness and Candlelight Vigil

Doorways will join the Ft. Myer Family Advocacy Program for a candlelight vigil and U.S. Military tribute to victims of domestic violence. The Women’s Memorial is located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, and is directly across Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial at the end of Memorial Drive. Parking and metro (Arlington Cemetery-Blue Line) are available. For more information contact the Ft. Myer Family Advocacy Program at 703-696-3512.

Volunteer Opportunities

Tuesday, October 5th, 6:30–8:00 pm
3179 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

Learn how you can volunteer with Doorways for Women and Families and support vulnerable women and families in Arlington! Join us for our Volunteer Information Night where you will receive an overview of Doorways programs and services as well as the different volunteer opportunities available. For more information on our volunteer program, click here.

Ongoing Education and Outreach

The Red Flag Campaign

In an effort to challenge rates of abuse on college campuses, Doorways will re-launch the The Red Flag Campaign dating violence awareness poster campaign this October. Participating schools are:

• Marymount University
• Northern Virginia Community College- Alexandria
• Art Institute of Washington
• George Mason University – Fairfax and Arlington campuses

This poster campaign, designed by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance and funded by the Verizon Foundation, will raise awareness about how bystanders can stand-up to the warning signs of dating violence and how to recognize the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Doorways supplements the poster campaign with direct outreach to student groups, on-campus presentations and events. For more information about this campaign, click here.

Community Awareness Campaign with Project PEACE

Doorways for Women and Families is a lead partner with a county initiative, Project PEACE, a coordinated community response to eliminate domestic violence in Arlington and to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. We will be promoting our annual community education campaign by way of the “Closer Than You Think” posters. Look for them in your libraries, recreation centers and throughout your neighborhood.

To print a poster for your business, apartment building or church, click here.

General Community and Professional Presentations

Community Education is a vital component of Doorways’ mission fulfilling two important functions: increasing awareness about Doorways and the services we provide, as well as fostering a community that recognizes the signs of unhealthy relationships, domestic and dating violence, and understands the impacts on adults, children and the community. We offer a variety of presentations and outreach tools to the community.

This October, invite a Doorways educator to provide educational presentations to your business, the faith community, or teen and young adult group.  Read more about requesting a presentation.

For more information about Domestic Violence, click here.

This Month’s Featured Story

Gaining Financial Independence

The Doorways’ FIT Counselor determined that April was used to living on a daily allotment of cash varying from $0 to $40 from her spouse, who abused substances.  April had previously worked as a waitress, but was no longer able to work, due to the effects of her terminal illness.  April decided to separate from her partner, and she and her three young girls settled into the HomeStart Program.  April’s only source of income was Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) of $389 per month. 

A constant challenge for the FIT Counselor was helping her to plan her spending and track her expenses.  April was challenged with planning her spending due to the unpredictability of her health and she felt it was unnecessary to keep her receipts.  April would spend her entire TANF in one day, leaving no money for her family for the remainder of the month.  Over the course of several months, the FIT Counselor continued to reiterate basic money management skills and April began to track her expenses in a notebook.  The FIT Counselor asked her, “How can I help you to remember to keep your receipts?”  The FIT Counselor offered envelopes to keep her receipts, but April stated, “That’s just trash to me; I will throw it away.”  The FIT Counselor than offered her a pocket folder. 

For the next meeting April had taped a list of her expenses on the folder, with her receipts enclosed.  By meeting clients “where they are” the FIT Counselor was able to get April to start incorporating basic money management skills into her daily life.  April is now able to plan how much money she will need to meet her living expenses and save money for unexpected travel expenses or prescription refills for the remainder of the month.

Read more about how strengthens families beyond shelter.

Featured Client Testimonial

Washington Post Award

2009 Recipient of the Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

Doorways, Arlington’s leading provider and advocate for survivors of homelessness, violence and abuse was honored on June 15th by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement as the 2009 winner of The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

Recognizing Excellence in Management

This award recognizes the outstanding management practices Doorways utilizes. Below are a few of the many best practices Doorways succeeds in:

Written plans/policies in place for all areas of agency operations. A centralized process for updating manuals that supports multi-site culture including work plans for every project.  Strategies for turning in-kind donations into cash donations.  Stewarding corporate donors from single donors to yearlong Corporate Ambassadors.  Strategic investments in fundraising infrastructure to maintain return on investment for each development position.  Reflective supervision philosophy; train staff to give and receive.  Strong structure and systems to support 100+ volunteers; “standing room only” information nights.  Staff holds a strong passion for mission, a commitment to teamwork, and a high staff satisfaction.  Making the distinction between community education and making the “ask”.  Provides incentives for green ways of commuting.  Strong practices for controlling risk; business continuity plain in place.

Supporting Documents

View the Doorways Award Application.

View Congressman Moran’s Statement in the Congressional Record.

Congratulated by the Clarendon Alliance and Liberty Tavern.

From Our Leadership

- Doorways Leadership accepting the award

Nicholas Evans, Doorways Board President “Doorways strived for several years to achieve excellence in our management practices, and so it’s rewarding to say the least for our staff and board to win this prestigious management award, particularly on our first attempt.”

Susan Sanow, Deputy Executive Director at The Center for Non-Profit Advancement “As nonprofits become more challenged in this economic climate, it is reassuring to know that good nonprofit management makes a difference. We are pleased to acknowledge Doorways as a stellar example that other organizations should follow.”

The Award

Now in its 15th year, The Washington Post Award is a competitive program open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the Washington metropolitan area. Candidates are judged in the areas of fiscal management, information and communication, organizational development, people development, planning, resource development, risk management, and use of technology. The award is sponsored by The Washington Post Company, with additional support from RAFFA, The Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust and Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. In addition to this prestigious honor, Doorways will receive a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship to attend the Georgetown Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program.

Families at Doorways

Foundation Partners

Doorways extends a BIG thank you to funders who have awarded grants to us in recent months, including:

Risk Factors for Family Homelessness

Although there are many reasons why homelessness is such a pervasive problem in the United States, below are just a few of the reasons why Doorways services are so vital to our community.

Lack of Affordable Housing

The economic expansion of the 1990s obscured certain trends and statistics that point to an increased, not decreased, need for affordable housing. The generally accepted definition of affordability is for a household to pay no more than 30 percent of its annual income on housing. Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. An estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more than 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing, and a family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States. The lack of affordable housing is a significant hardship for low-income households preventing them from meeting their other basic needs, such as nutrition and healthcare, or saving for their future and that of their families.

Learn more about affordable housing in Arlington.

A Living Wage versus a Minimum Wage

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

Previous Federal Minimum Wage: $5.15

New Federal Minimum Wage:

• $5.85 - July 24th, 2007 (VA Wage)
• $6.55 - July 24th, 2008
• $7.25 - July 24th, 2009

Many times the minimum wage puts people, both singles and adults with children below the poverty line. On the other hand, a living wage is the level of income sufficient to allow workers to support their families without dependence upon outside (public) assistance.
A more narrow definition suggests that it is the income level necessary to pull a family of four above the poverty threshold, adjusted for local economic variables, with a range of $7.60 to $12.00 per hour.

The “Poverty Line”

The poverty guidelines are a version of the federal poverty measure. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for use for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. For a family of 4 the poverty line is $21,200 based on the 2008 Poverty Guidelines

How does a minimum wage impact the poverty line?

40 hours a week x 52 weeks in a year = 2080 hours a year x 5.85 = $12,168
This is only enough to raise you above the poverty guideline if you have no children—and this does not include vacation!

Living Wage Stats: To raise a family of four to the poverty line ($21,200):

• $10.19 (40 hrs/week, 2080 hours, no vacation)
• $10.60 (40 hrs/week, 2000 hours, 2 weeks unpaid vacation)
• $11.65 (35 hrs/week, 1820 hours, no vacation)
• $12.11 (35 hrs/week, 1750 hours, 2 weeks unpaid vacation)

These figures also do not account for sick leave someone may take for themselves or for a child.

To bring a family of four to a more comfortable $32,185 (incidentally this amount is considerably lower than Arlington’s designation of “very low income” for a family of four):

• $15.47(40 hrs/week, 2080 hours, no vacation)
• $15.78 (40 hrs/week, 2040 hours, 1 week unpaid vacation)
• $17.68 (35 hrs/week, 1820 hours, no vacation)
• $18.03 (35 hrs/week, 1785 hours, 1 week unpaid vacation)

Good Neighbor Club

Doorways for Women and Families invites you to support homeless women, children and families by joining the Good Neighbor Club. Your unique support provides vital resources to help the least fortunate make strides to a new life.

Good Neighbor Testimonial

For several years, I’ve written a monthly check to Doorways. Now Doorways has initiated a Good Neighbor Giving Program that allows me to automatically donate monthly using my credit card. This convenience works for me and ensures my steady commitment to charitable service. Please join me as a Good Neighbor; our community needs us!

~Ralph Cook, Arlington Resident and Doorways Good Neighbor since 1998.

Good Neighbor Club Donations Provide

• Nutritious Food
• Clean Clothing
• Transportation for shelter residents
• Counseling and Medical Care for families
• Educational Support for children

Become a Good Neighbor

Make a monthly pledge of $10 or more to help meet these needs in our community. Your gift will be transferred conveniently each month from your debit or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express) directly to Doorways.

Join the Good Neigbor Club today!

If you donate at least $83 per month you are eligible to join our Leadership Circle at the Guardian Level.
 
If you would prefer to make your contribution via check, decrease or increase your gift, please call Doorways at 703-522-8858.  If you join by credit or debit card, a record of each gift will appear on your monthly bank or credit card statement.

Matching Gifts

Matching Gifts

Learn how your company’s matching gift program can sometimes double or even triple your gift!

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees.  The following companies have supported Doorways by matching the generous donations of their employees:

Freddie Mac*
IBM
Bank of America
Microsoft
Friedman Billings Ramsey
ITOCHU International Inc.
National Petroleum Council
ExxonMobil*
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Fannie Mae
Bank of America
Wellpoint Associate
Google
Altria

*denotes membership in Doorways’ Corporate Ambassadors program

Find out if your company has a matching gift policy

Corporate Ambassadors

How Your Company Can Be A Good Ambassador

Corporate Ambassadors are an integral component in both our operations and our clients’ everyday needs. Here are a few inventive ways your organization and employees can make a difference:

Financial Donations

Fund the critical services we provide free of charge to community members in desperate need. Doorways relies on the generosity of individuals and companies to raise $1.7 million yearly to assist us with an annual budget of $2.7 million.

Collection Drives

Host an in-kind donation drive to benefit Doorways at your business. Doorways serves, on average, 85 individuals each week (more than half of whom are children) through our three residential programs, and is consistently in need of personal care and household items. Groups may organize collection drives for these much needed items on a one-time, monthly, or quarterly basis. Doorways provides tailored collection fliers and brochures for the drives.

Volunteer

Host a grocery store drive outside of a local Giant or Safeway. Organize a group of your employees to help out at a Doorways special event. Or encourage your employees, friends and family to attend by sponsoring or hosting the event. Participate in other group volunteer activities including creating HomeStart housewarming baskets, maintaining the yard outside Doorways Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home, and cleaning and organizing rooms in the Family Home.

View more opportunities for Corporate Ambassadors to make a difference!

Ambassador Benefits

Platinum Ambassadors ($50,000+)

• Special naming opportunities
• Logo on home page with link
• Tailored press release and media exposure
• Plus all benefits listed below

Gold Ambassadors ($25,000-$49,999)

• Acknowledgment during event programs
• E-Newsletter profile
• Plus all benefits listed below

Silver Ambassadors ($10,000-$24,999)

• Executive briefings on homelessness and domestic violence issues provided by Doorways’ Executive Director
• Logo on web site with link
• Plus all benefits listed below

Ambassadors ($2,500-$9,999)

• Listing in annual report
• Networking opportunities at annual breakfast
• Group facility tours for executives or business partners
• Listing in bi-annual newsletters
• Employee volunteer teambuilding opportunities
• Employee lunch-n-learn with a Doorways educator
• Complimentary event tickets
• Recognition on signage at fundraisers
• Customized workplace giving outreach materials

Spotlight Ambassador

Each month we recognize an outstanding ambassador and their committment to Doorways and our mission. Learn more about our Spotlight Ambassadors and read about how they have supported families fleeing domestic violence and family homelessness.

View a list of our most recent spotlight ambassadors

Get Involved

For more information, or to customize your company’s own Corporate Ambassador relationship with Doorways, please contact Kerry Goldstein, Donor Relations Manager, at 703-522-8858 X14 or kgoldstein@doorwaysVA.org.

Healthy Relationships

What is a Healthy Relationship?

A healthy relationship is created and maintained when each person in the relationship engages in the following behaviors. Both people in the relationship must use these positive behaviors to make it healthy!  Below are examples of healthy versus unhealthy relationship and behavior characteristics. 

An unhealthy relationship develops when one person uses the following behaviors to control their partner’s actions. It only takes one person using the following behaviors to make a relationship unhealthy, destructive and potentially dangerous.

A Diverse Community

Did you know…

In our HomeStart program almost half (48%) of our clients spoke a language other than English as their primary language.

Learn more about HomeStart.

Financial Literacy

Did you know…

Last year, Doorways Financial Independance Track (FIT) Program provided 679 individual financial counseling sessions to 256 adult clients.

Learn more about the FIT Program.

Court Advocacy Services

Did you know…

Last year, Doorways provided court advocacy services to 525 adults and children.  The Court Advocacy Program assists individuals through the court system in criminal and civil cases involving domestic violence.

Family Homeless in Arlington

Did you know…

Last year, the Family Home provided supportive services and housing to 26 families—impacting 30 adults and 46 children.

Learn more about the Family Home.

Domestic Violence in Arlington

Did you know…

Last year, Doorways Domestic Violence Hotline provided supportive services to 886 hotline callers last year—impacting 1,121 adults and children.

Learn more about the Domestic Violence Hotline.

Hear from a former Domestic Violence Program Client

A new look thanks to Matrix Group International!

-Matrix staff celebrating their 10th anniversary.

Doorways would like to recognize Matrix Group International as this month’s Spotlight Corporate Ambassador!  In addition to being an active supporter of Doorways since 2004, Matrix Group has generously donated their services to create and host Doorways’ website and email.  Led by the dynamic Joanna Pineda, Matrix epitomizes the ideal Doorways’ Corporate Ambassador: a true partner organization, that shows its support through financial contributions, volunteers, pro bono services, community networking and much more. 

Matrix most recently worked with Doorways’ to completely redesign our website.  Led by Joanna Pineda, Matrix employees have also lent their time and expertise helping to plan and execute Doorways’ latest Benefit Auction, which was a rousing success! 

We’d like to send a special shout-out to Jen, Andrew, Alex, Sherrie,  Elise, and Adrian for their efforts in ensuring that Doorways is successful on and off-line! Doorways is proud to consider Matrix Group among its closest and most consistent supporters.  Thank you, Matrix Group International!!!

Tell Us What You Think

Help us ensure this site meets your needs. Take our website survey and tell us what you think about the new site and you will also have a chance to win a gift card! 

Project PEACE PSA

Individual Partners

Doorways has created long lasting partnerships with individuals in our community who have made the commitment to ensure Doorways can provide vital support services to families in crisis in Arlington and Northern Virginia.  These partnerships are both formal and informal and fall into a variety of categories from individuals who give monetary donations to support families on a monthly or annual basis to individuals who donate new or gently used items our families need. 

View individual giving partnerships and opportunities.

Individual Partners Spotlight

Read, in their own words, what individual community members have said about why and how they support Doorways.

Brighter Futures Society

I have had the pleasure of being involved with Doorways for Women and Families for nearly 6 years. Of all the organizations with which to get involved, Doorways is the most committed, effective and well-run organization I have found, so I keep coming back, year after year.  Their heart-felt commitment to the needs of local women and children is not only inspiring, but life-changing.  Without Doorways, women and children in need simply would not receive the care, support and opportunities they deserve. And without generous support from those of us more fortunate, there would be no Doorways.

~Heid Wagner, Longtime Doorways supporter and member of the Brighter Futures Society

Learn more about Doorways Brighter Futures Society.

The Leadership Circle

The rebuild of the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home was a tremendous success, but the project was never about bricks and mortar.  It’s about having the capacity to serve even more families.  I joined the Leadership Circle to help sustain Doorways’ continuing response to the growing need for services in our community.

~Leadership Circle Founding Member and former Board Member, Raina Rose Tagle.

Learn more about Doorways Leadership Cirlce.

Good Neighbor Club

For several years, I’ve written a monthly check to Doorways. Now Doorways has initiated a Good Neighbor Giving Program that allows me to automatically donate monthly using my credit card. This convenience works for me and ensures my steady commitment to charitable service. Please join me as a Good Neighbor; our community needs us!

~Ralph Cook, Arlington Resident and Doorways Good Neighbor since 1998.

Learn more about the Doorways Good Neighbor Club.

Volunteer of the Month

May Volunteer of the Month: Melinda Sigal, Development Volunteer

Thank you to Melinda Sigal of The Sales and Marketing Connection for providing pro-bono photography for Doorways.  Melinda’s cheerful willingness to provide professional photos help us share our events with you and maintain a visual archive of how our staff, volunteers, and supporters have come together to benefit Doorways over the years.  Thanks Melinda!

View past volunteers of the month.
View Volunteer Opportunities.

Doorways ED Talks about Dating Violence with Channel 8

Freddie Mac Foundation

Items We Urgently Need

Urgent Needs

Help families in shelter by purchasing one of the many items on our Amazon registry.

Attend a Brighter Futures Tour

The Brighter Futures Tours illustrate the mission and services of Doorways, as well as showcase the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home. 

Learn more and sign-up for a tour.

Tour the Safehouse

Take a virtual tour of the Doorways Safehouse.

View all of the rooms and learn about the process that clients go through when they enter through our doors. 

Tour the Family Home

Take a virtual tour of the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home. 

View all of the rooms and learn about the process that clients go through when they enter through our doors. 

Tour the Family Home!

Take a virtual tour of the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home.  View all of the rooms and learn about the process that clients go through when they enter through our doors.

How You Can Help by Volunteering

Volunteers answer our 24-hour hotline, staff the Family Home and Safehouse, and help us plan events.  With 10+ volunteer opportunities to choose from, we are bound to have the right job for you!

Volunteer Now.

How You Can Help Beyond Shelter

A single-parent with two children earning minimum wage for full time work (gross monthly income of $1,416) cannot even come close to affording the 2009 average monthly rent of $1,997 for a 2-bedroom apartment in Arlington.  Doorways helps families by supplementing their income. 

  Learn more about volunteering.

How You Can Help Meet the Need

$500:  Helps provide bed linens, personal care items, and emergency funds for a family in either the Safehouse or Family Home.

  Learn more about volunteering.

How You Can Help End Domestic Violence

An abuser will physically abuse their partner an average of 35 times before police are notified for the first time.  Your support ensures we’re here when the victim seeks help.

  Learn more about volunteering.

How You Can Help Children at Doorways

Doorways’ residential programs served 256 individuals last year. More than half of those were children.  A donation of $100 provides two hours of therapy for a child to heal from the trauma of domestic violence and/or homelessness.

  Learn more about volunteering.

Hear from a Doorways Volunteer

Hear from a Doorways Board Member and Donor

Hear from Our Executive Director

Hear from Families at Doorways

Hear from a HomeStart Graduate

Doorways TJ Youth Group Awareness Video

Doorways Volunteer Highlighted on Channel 7’s ‘Hero Central’

Make a Difference in 60 Seconds

How You Can Help Homeless Families

Last year there was a 25% increase in the number of homeless families in Arlington. Your donation of $2,500 provides a week of shelter for a family of four.

  Learn more about volunteering.

How You Can Help Families in Need

Nearly every family who walks through our door will walk through another door into their own home.  Your financial contribution helps open those doors.

  Learn more about volunteering.

Board of Directors 2010

We thank our Board of Directors for all of the time and effort they put in to ensure our continued success.

View our 2009-2010 board list below:

MatrixGroup International, Inc.

Impact of Family Violence on Children

Children who live in a home where abuse occurs are always affected by it.  Research indicates that abuse in a family may be the single most important risk factor for child maltreatment.  The rate of child abuse or serious neglect in a home were domestic violence is prevalent is 1500% higher than the national average.  Children impacted by domestic violence stand a greater chance of experiencing neglect and more than half are physically abused themselves.

Children need not be present and actually see the abuse to be affected by it.  It is obvious that children who are themselves abused suffer a great deal; however, children who witness the abuse are similarly affected.  They experience abuse when they hear screams and crying, the abuser’s threats, sounds of fists hitting someone or something, glass breaking, wood splintering, and the use of degrading language.

Children also see the consequences of the abuse after it has occurred.  They may observe bruises, torn clothes, broken objects, splintered furniture, holes punched in walls, swollen faces, and puffy eyes.  They perceive the tension and fear of the abuser and do not feel safe. 

Directly or indirectly witnessing the abuse can significantly inhibit children’s physical, cognitive, psychological, and social development.

Impressive data demonstrate that children who live in a battering relationship experience the most insidious form of child abuse. Whether or not they are physically abused by either parent is less important than the psychological scars they bear from watching their fathers beat their mothers. 

~Lenore Walker

Moreover, children are often caught in the crossfire.  Youth frequently believe that they have somehow caused the violence; that if they were good enough it would not have happened or that they could have stopped/prevented the abuse.

Portrait of a Child in a Violent Home

• Reports by mothers who have been abused show that 87% of children witness abuse.

• Because early relationships form the basis for all later relationship experiences, stress associated with violence at an early age may be problematic for a child’s later development. Evidence suggests that, for many children, involvement in aggression and violence as early as age 3 or 4 sets a life course for later violence and criminal activity.

• Among preschoolers who witnessed abuse, researchers found signs of terror as evidenced by the children’s yelling, irritable behavior, hiding, shaking and stuttering.  They often experience insomnia, sleepwalking, nightmares, and bed wetting.

Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Physical Abuse and Neglect: In addition to an increased likelihood of child abuse and neglect, children may be hurt while trying to protect their mother or they may get caught in the crossfire.

Physical Ailments:Children may suffer from stress related physical ailments such as headaches, rashes, ulcers, and autoimmune disorders.

Aggression & Difficulty Interacting with Peers: Some children mimic the aggression and violence they have experienced at home. Other children may become socially withdrawn as a means of keeping themselves safe.

Common Behaviors: Children may suffer from a loss of appetite, nightmares, stranger anxiety, temper tantrums, and bed wetting. Often these children develop learning delays, and speech or hearing problems.

Common Characteristic of Children from Violent Families

The following are common characteristics and behaviors to which children from violent families are prone.  Naturally, not all such children have these characteristics, and many children manage to escape violence as fairly intact individuals.  Also, many of these characteristics may be found in children from homes where there is no physical violence; however, there are certain patterns that strongly indicate experiencing or witnessing violence.

• Withdrawn/apathetic behavior; childhood depression, unsocial, passive, feelings of powerlessness, moody, overly controlled, poor self-concept
• Aggressive/violent behavior: anger, open rage, low frustration tolerance, poorly socialized, difficult to control, low self-esteem
• Shame and humiliation in belonging to a deviant family
• Feelings of guilt and responsibility for family violence
• Stigma: feelings of being different
• Physical fears
• Fear of intimacy: distrustful, armored, vigilant
• Distrustful of males (males and females)
• Identification with aggressor (mostly males)
• Identification with victim (mostly females)
• Confused values: Physical force is viewed as a legitimate means of control (particularly control of women by men).  “Might is right.” “Nice guys finish last.”
• Conflicting and ambivalent feelings and loyalties toward parents: feelings of love/hate for both parents; anger, pity and contempt for the person abused; anger, fear and respect for abusive person.
• Parental child: precocious mothering, role reversal
• Physical problems and complaints
• Learning problems
• Sexual behavior seen as an expression of power and anger rather than of love and tenderness

Impact of Homelessness on Children

Breaking the intergenerational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence is critical to ending domestic violence and homelessness in our community.

When we think about people who are experiencing homelessness, we usually think about adults. The fact is, millions of children experience homelessness every year. These children sleep in cars, shelters and abandoned buildings. They relocate constantly, which results in their being pulled out of school and away from friends.

Family Homelessness

Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, accounting for almost 40% of the nations homeless. Within these families, more than 1.3 million children are homeless at some time each year. On any given day, at least 800,000 Americans, including about 200,000 children, find themselves without a home.

Many of these families and children have experienced trauma prior to becoming homeless, and homelessness can exacerbate the consequences of trauma or re-traumatize a child, resulting in a cycle that is tragically damaging and costly to both individuals and communities.

• The typical homeless family is headed by a single mother, usually in her late twenties. She has with her two or three young children, typically preschoolers.

• Homelessness affects people of all geographic areas, ages, occupations, and ethnicities but occurs disproportionately among people of color.

• More than 90 percent of sheltered and low-income mothers have experienced physical and sexual assault over their lifespan.

Impact on Children’s Health

Homeless children are sick four times as often as middle class children and have high rates of acute and chronic illnesses. In addition they suffer from emotional or behavioral problems that interfere with learning at almost three times the rate of other children. Homeless children between 6 and 17 years struggle with high rates of mental health problems. For example, 47% have problems such as anxiety, depression, or withdrawal, compared to 18% of other school-age children.

Effects on Children’s Physical Health

Homeless children get sick twice as often as other children. They have:

• Twice as many ear infections
• Four times as many asthma attacks
• Five times more stomach problems
• Six times as many speech problems
• Twice as many hospitalizations

Homeless children go hungry twice as often as other children and 25% of homeless children report eating less after becoming homeless.

Effects on Children’s Mental Health

Homeless children who are able to attend school have more problems learning in school. Compared with other children, homeless children are:

• Four times as likely to have developmental delays.
• Twice as likely to have learning disabilities.
• Twice as likely to repeat a grade, most often due to frequent absences and moves to new schools (28% of homeless children go to three or more schools in a single year).

Impact on School

Approximately 87% of school-age homeless children and youth are enrolled in school, although only about 77% attend school regularly. Some schools don’t allow homeless children to register without school and medical records. Others will not enroll children without a home address and there is often no transportation available to get children from shelters to school. The vast majority of homeless children and youth live in shelters, doubled up with friends or relatives, or in situations such as motels and campgrounds.

Privacy Policy

Doorways for Women and Families recognizes that users may have concerns about privacy issues as they navigate the Internet and donate online. Doorways is committed to providing users with a safe, secure environment in which to secure information. Doorways will use reasonable efforts to ensure that the information you provide remains private, and is used only for the purposes you request.

To ensure that this happens, Doorways subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights developed in part by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).  If you have any questions regarding policies around donor’s rights, please feel free to contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Below is additional information about how your information obtained using our webiste may be used. 

Collected Information

We collect information about the users of our site. This information helps us determine which parts of the site visitors find most valuable as well as how we can continually improve the services we provide. User identities remain anonymous unless the User provides this information as a part of registration. We use your IP address to help diagnose problems with our servers and to administer our Website.

Users may use Doorwaysva.org without registering, but registration must occur in order to use any of the personalized services. Our site’s registration form requires specific contact information: name, e-mail address, etc. We use the customer contact information to learn more about our visitors. The contact information is also used to contact users when necessary.

Unique identifiers (such as IDs and passwords) are collected to verify the visitor’s identity and for use as account numbers in our record system.

We will not sell, share or trade your contact information with any third party agencies.

Links to Other Sites

Doorwaysva.org may contain links to third-party Websites. These links are provided solely as a convenience to users and not as an endorsement by Doorways of the contents on such third-party Websites. Doorways is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such third-party Websites. Links to third-party Websites are performed at your own risk. Doorways does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of communications posted by users or endorse any opinions expressed by users. User acknowledges that any reliance on material posted by other users will be at the User’s risk.

Feedback

Doorways encourages visitors of the website to submit feedback. Any feedback that is submitted becomes the property of Doorwaysva.org and we may use this feedback for marketing purposes, or to contact visitors for more information.

Privacy Policy Updates

Any changes to our privacy policy will be posted here so that visitors will always know what information we gather, how we might use that information, and whether we will disclose it to anyone. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns about Doorwaysva.org’s privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Website, contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 703-522-8858.

Awards Received

- Linda Dunphy, Doorways ED, and Nicholas Evans, Doorways Board President accept Washingtonpost award.

Charity Navigator

Doorways has been awarded the highest rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading independent charity evaluator, for the third consecutive year!

Only 14% of the charities reviewed by Charity Navigator have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Doorways for Women and Families consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America.

The rating signifies that Doorways is one of the most recognizable and trusted nonprofit brands outperforming most charities who advocate for victims of domestic violence and homelessness.

Of the more than 5,000 charities across the United States evaluated by Charity Navigator, approximately 1,500 have 4-star ratings. Of those, we are one of 77 in Virginia with the highest designation. The overall intent of the survey is to examine tens of thousands of nonprofit financial documents and determine an objective, number-based system of their economic health.

Read the letter from Charity Navigator’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Ken Berger.

Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

Doorways, Arlington’s leading provider and advocate for survivors of homelessness, violence and abuse was honored on June 15th by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement as the 2009 winner of The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

This award recognizes the outstanding management practices Doorways utilizes. Learn more about this award and Doorways leading nonprofit management practices.

Catalogue for Philanthropy

Doorways has also been selected to be featured in the 2009-10 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. A panel of 90 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, larger non-profit organizations, and the DC government evaluated nearly 240 applications; Doorways for Women and Families is one of 68 outstanding nonprofits to be featured this year.

Now in its seventh year, the Catalogue has become a trusted intermediary connecting smaller, community-based organizations with individual and foundation donors.

We know that nonprofits have had a very difficult year. For most, contributions are flat or down, and the decrease or loss of foundation and government funding has created significant budgetary challenges. Individual donors can make a real difference this year, keeping great organizations afloat during these tough times.

~Barbara Harman, President and Editor of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

The Catalogue enables smaller non-profits to tell their stories to individuals who would otherwise never hear them, and to encourage those individuals to give. It also provides charities with a stamp of approval that tells donors they can invest with confidence because the Catalogue vets its family of nonprofits with great care.

Additional Awards

2009

Doorways awarded Innovation Award for Partnership with Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

2008

Doorways selected by Washingtonian as one of the great Washington area charities
Doorways for Women and Families Received Highest Rating From Charity Navigator

2007

Doorways For Women and Families Awarded Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant

2006

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Honors Doorways for Women and Families
Doorways for Women and Families Wins James B. Hunter III Community Hero Award

2005

Doorways wins James B. Hunter Human Rights Award
Doorways included in 2005 Catalog for Philanthropy

Holiday Wishes Campaign

Begining in October, Doorways is seeking compassionate donors to once again experience the true holiday spirit of giving to others. The 100+ women and families we serve need your generous support of ‘Holiday Wishes’, a program to sponsor a family, host a collection drive for gift items, or contribute gift cards this holiday season.

Holiday Wishes for Individuals

Sponsor-A-Family

Select one of Doorways’ families to make their holiday dreams come true! Doorways will provide you with a letter introducing your family and their wish list items.  You would be responsible for fulfilling their wish list with presents and gift cards. You can decide the size of the family you wish to sponsor (average cost is $100 per family member). 

Make it a family or group affair!  Each year many of our Sponsor A Family donors are groups of individuals working together to meet the needs of a family in need.  Get your own family involved or invite co-workers to join your effort!

Holiday Collection Drives

Ask your friends and family, co-workers or church group to donate items on Doorways’ holiday wish list, including household items, blankets and personal care items.

Gift Card Donations

Donations of gift cards empower women and families to shop for holiday gifts for their families and are used to provide winter clothing and food for holiday celebrations.  You can donate as in an individual or sponsor a drive with a group you are a part of. 

My husband and I are so grateful to have the gift of knowing that our child has everything he needs to be healthy and happy, and to grow and thrive—we wish this for every parent and child, and it’s heartbreaking to know that there are innocent little ones in our own community who don’t have the very basic necessities, not to mention the security of home, that every child should have. So we hope our contribution will help Doorways come a little bit closer to its goal of addressing the desperate needs of families in crisis.

~Dana Milburn, Doorways Supporter