Community Advocacy Collaborations
Project PEACE
Partnering to End Abuse in the Community for Everyone
Doorways serves as the key leader and catalyst in the launch and leadership of Arlington’s coordinated community response coalition, Project PEACE. This “best practice” approach unites more than 25 public and private entities under a comprehensive vision and strategic course for how Arlington will prevent domestic violence and protect and provide services for those affected by it. Project PEACE facilitates coordination among agencies to strengthen services and address gaps in family and intimate partner violence prevention and interventions.
Current Work: Making Significant Improvements in Six Major Areas
- Changing attitudes and behaviors to prevent violence from happening
- Strengthening the community’s ability to respond quickly and appropriately to domestic violence
- Enhancing the justice system’s response to promote safety for victims and accountability for aggressors
- Improving a wide range of services and support for victims, families and aggressors to interrupt the cycle of violence
- Enhancing access to services for a diverse community across age, ability, language, race and culture differences
- Building an infrastructure to provide for clear communication and accountability of efforts
Doorways is most active in Project PEACE in the following ways:
- Educating young people and the community about domestic and dating violence, anti-bullying techniques, harassment, and conflict mediation.
- Strengthening response from law enforcement officials.
- Expanding affordable housing options for survivors so they do not have to return to abusive partners.
- Reducing the cycle of violence and victimization by providing specialized treatment for children, teens, and adults who have witnessed acts of domestic violence.
Doorways is grateful for the support from the community and funding provider Temple Rodef Shalom for allowing us to fulfill our advocacy mission as a leader in Project PEACE.
Learn more about Project PEACE.
Arlington County’s 10-Year-Plan to End Homelessnes
Housing First is not just a fancy slogan; it’s a legitimate and innovative new direction being forged in the homeless-serving sector. It represents a paradigm shift from traditional methods of service delivery where “serving the homeless” with shelter, food, basic necessities, and supportive services” was the emphasis – not permanent housing. To truly “end homelessness” - the primary goal of Arlington County’s 10-year plan to end homelessness - a philosophical and programmatic emphasis shift, emphasizing more than one approach, is required by many service sectors. We must work to prevent homelessness before it occurs, and to prioritize finding permanent housing when homelessness does occur.
Beginning in 2004, Doorways began to shift its program design so that families leaving shelter had more permanent housing options with longer-term housing subsidies, with the goal that our services are transitional, not the family’s housing. We successfully advocated with the County to create a Transitional Housing Grant program that created the necessary bridge homeless families need to meet the high cost of permanent housing. Since that time, we have worked to develop partnerships with landlords willing to offer families a new beginning.
Today, through Doorways’ HomeStart Supportive Housing Program, families leave shelters and move into housing that either is or will become their own as they progress through the program. Some families are even able to bypass the use of our shelter thanks to this approach. With future housing no longer a worry, the program provides comprehensive, supportive services that help families address the root causes of homelessness and domestic violence, while gaining positive life skills and fostering positive landlord-tenant relations that anchor permanent housing.
In addition, Doorways staff continues to work with public and non-profit organizations in Arlington designated to implement and facilitate the promises of the 2006 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Arlington County.
