Written by Shirley Ruhe, The Arlington Connection, May 7-20, 2025 Edition
All posts by Linley Beckbridge
Building a Community, Not Just a Career
The following is an excerpt from Groomers Doing Good Deeds: Building a Community, Not Just a Career by Jennifer Bishop Jenkins in the November 2024 issue of Groomer to Groomer magazine.
In May 2009, Doorways became the first safe house in Virginia, and one of only nine in the country at that time to provide emergency shelter for survivors’ pets. Thankfully, more are opening now, as the importance of this expanded role of shelters has become apparent.
Linley Beckbridge explained the importance of allowing the victims to bring their pets: “Often, people who perpetrate intimate partner violence will threaten or harm pets to maintain power and control over their partners. Victims may stay in abusive situations in an attempt to keep their animals safe. Providing emergency shelter for pets, along with survivors, is critical to the safety of both the animals and their people. No one should have to choose between their safety and their pets.
“The grooming industry can support their local shelters,” she continued, “most of which are nonprofit organizations, by donating their services—either directly for survivors’ pets or in the form of gift certificates for nonprofit auctions and other fundraisers—by doing third-party fundraisers to encourage their customers and community to give, and by raising awareness of local resources by posting flyers in their spaces. To support national efforts, check out the Purple Leash Project.”
The Washington Post: After funding cuts, nonprofits for domestic-violence survivors scale back
A federal fund for organizations that help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault is nearly depleted.
By Ellie Silverman | September 17, 2024
Organizations that support survivors of domestic violence and child abuse across the country are paring back resources — or preparing to shut down shelters — due to a dramatic drop in federal funds.
For fiscal year 2024, Congress set a funding cap of $1.35 billion — about $600 million less than last year for the Crime Victims Fund, as its reserve dwindled. Advocates fear that without a funding fix they may stare down an even bigger hole next year.
A cut of this magnitude will have a “catastrophic” impact on survivors, said Teresa Huizar, CEO of the D.C.-based National Children’s Alliance, a network of nearly 1,000 advocacy centers.
The need for programs such as domestic violence hotlines, rape crisis centers and legal assistance, has only grown, advocates say.
The fund — which is administered by the Department of Justice — supports more than 6 million survivors of crime, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
In the D.C. region, this year’s cut has translated into a decrease of $200,000 — or 11 percent — for Doorways, Arlington’s sole provider of crisis services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Leaders say that means one less advocate to go to court with survivors; one less community advocate to help with safety planning and connecting survivors to resources; two less case managers for shelter and housing programs.
One mother interviewed by The Washington Post said Doorways’ services helped her come to terms with the abuse she endured and find the courage to leave.
“I couldn’t see any light,” said the woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she was concerned for her safety. “Doorways brought me hope.”
Doorways manages six apartments in northern Virginia to house survivors leaving abusive relationships, but may have to close those sites because of funding cuts, leaders said.
Doorways Welcomes New Board Members
Doorways, a nonprofit serving survivors in the Arlington, VA community, is proud to welcome four new members to the agency’s board of directors:
Ilona Birenbaum, Principal, The Wynhurst Group, LLC, is a leadership and organizational consultant/leadership coach with over 30 years of experience and a robust organizational development background.
Christy Cole, CAP, Director of Philanthropy, Arlington Community Foundation, is a trusted partner for donors, professional advisors, and nonprofits, with over 25 years of experience in gift planning and nonprofit fundraising and leadership.
Megan Doern, Public Relations Team Lead, Consulting, Deloitte, is an expert in communications, media relations, and public affairs, with over 20 years of experience.
Chris Mullings, Senior Vice President, John Marshall Bank, is a commercial lending leader with over 25 years of experience, currently serving the Arlington region.
Doorways is a dually accredited provider of community-based services, emergency shelter, and supportive housing for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Doorways’ board of directors is responsible for oversight of the organization, its operations, and its property.
“We are elated to welcome such a talented and engaged group of new board members who will support and amplify Doorways’ mission,” said Diana Ortiz, LPC, M.Ed., Doorways’ President and CEO. “Our board of directors supports our team in responding to our community’s growing and changing needs swiftly and effectively, ensuring that all survivors can get the support they need from Doorways.”
The newest members of Doorways’ board join the following slate of accomplished directors:
- Board President Michelle Sagatov, Founder The Gold Group; Licensed Realtor, Washington Fine Properties
- Board Vice President Melissa MacGregor, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, SIFMA
- Board Treasurer Jhoanne Nunes, Principal, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
- Board Secretary Christine Leonhardt-Kimm, Director, Human Resources, Insured Retirement Institute (IRI)
- Past President Nina Tallon, Lawyer
- Katrina Jones, Vice President, Housing Equity Strategy and Impact, Fannie Mae
- Jade Kim Trusso, Founder and CEO, Nothing in Between Studio
- Lauren Harnishfeger, Strategic Fundraising and Nonprofit Leader
- Melanie Nathanson, Partner, Nathanson+ Hauck
- Casey Nolan, Senior Managing Director, Development and Finance, CRC Companies
- Tanvi Sinha, CPA, Audit Manager, Matthews, Carter and Boyce, P.C.
- Todd Williams, Founder, IT’s a Grind Advisory
To learn more about Doorways’ board of directors, visit www.doorwaysva.org/board-of-directors.
To make a gift in honor of a board member in support of our mission, visit www.doorwaysva.org/donate and put their name in the comment section of the donation form. Thank you for giving safe harbor, healing, and hope!
Doorways Honored as Nonprofit of the Year at the 38th Annual Arlington Best Business Awards
Doorways was honored to be named Nonprofit of the Year at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 38th Annual Arlington Best Business Awards.
Doorways provides Arlington’s comprehensive domestic and sexual violence programs, including shelter, services, and housing. The nonprofit has earned full, dual state accreditation for both its domestic violence programs and its sexual assault programs by meeting 100 percent of the voluntary Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards.
“It is an absolute honor and a great achievement for Doorways to receive the prestigious Arlington Nonprofit of the Year Award,” said Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber President and CEO. “The Chamber is pleased to present this award to them, and our community is fortunate to have such a great organization operating in Arlington.”
The Best Business Awards recognize the most distinguished and accomplished businesses that have made significant contributions to the Arlington community. Award recipients are nominated by the Chamber membership and are evaluated by a committee of past award winners whose scores determine the winners.
“We are honored to have earned this recognition of Doorways’ critical role in the Arlington community and our survivor-centered, value-driven approach,” said Michelle Sagatov, Doorways’ Board President. “As Arlington’s only provider of emergency safehousing, community-based services, and supportive housing for survivors and their families, we believe it is our responsibility to provide the best possible response to our neighbors in crisis and those seeking healing.”
“This award is a testament to the whole Doorways team and their ongoing hard work and dedication,” said Diana Ortiz, LPC, M.Ed., Doorways’ President and CEO. “Although we don’t do this for the recognition, we are always grateful for opportunities to celebrate the efforts of our staff and volunteers who make our mission possible.”
Michelle Sagatov (left) and Diana Ortiz (right) at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 38th Annual Arlington Best Business Awards.
Governor Puts Virginia’s Domestic Violence Victims in Danger
“You could have heard a pin drop in the room as Lisette Johnson told the story of being shot by her husband of 21 years,” writes Eden Brown. “It wasn’t an easy story to tell. She tells it because she cannot believe Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed bills that would have prevented her husband from keeping that weapon after he threatened her.”
Read the complete story in The Connection.
Doorways and Virginia lawmakers and advocates discuss domestic violence, guns, and lethal legal loopholes
Governor Youngkin Puts Virginia’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Victims in Danger with Latest Budget Proposal and Vetoes of Life-Saving Bills
Youngkin Disregards Pleas from Domestic Violence Victims for Indispensable Services by Slashing Budget for the State’s Victim Service Agencies
Virginia Remains One of a Handful of States in America to Not Have Closed Fatal Loopholes by Vetoing Gun Violence Bills
Arlington, VA, April 11, 2024—Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin put victims of sexual and domestic abuse in grave danger when he drastically cut funding for victim service agencies in his proposed budget amendments and by vetoing HB 46 and SB 47 as well as HB 362 and SB 642, bills that would have closed deadly loopholes in Virginia gun laws. Consequently, Virginia’s victims of domestic violence continue to live in clear and present danger of being shot and/or killed by their abuser due to the Governor’s decisions.
Richmond-based nonprofit criticizes Gov. Youngkin’s vetoes on several gun bills – ABC7
Virginia’s victim service providers were already standing on the edge of a financial cliff before Gov. Youngkin’s budget amendments slashed approximately $7.4 million from agencies that serve victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child trafficking. These proposed cuts come at a time when victim pleas for services continue to rise at an alarming rate. In just the last year alone, the number of domestic violence victims seeking shelter—and, accordingly, protection from their abusers—increased 173 percent, and at a time when these shelters were unavailable to provide space as they were already at or above capacity. Furthermore, the number of calls to the Statewide Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline increased by 31 percent.
“Governor Youngkin’s decision to veto these bills and cut millions of dollars from agencies providing vital services to crime victims jeopardizes the safety of women and families and leaves sexual and domestic violence advocates without the resources to do their jobs,” said Jonathan Yglesias, policy director for the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. “In the last 5 years alone, these agencies have endured a whopping 47.5 percent decrease in federal funds, and without a significant influx of state dollars, there will be catastrophic and generational impacts on victims throughout Virginia.”
Youngkin Fails to Safeguard Virginia Domestic Violence Victims by Vetoing Bills That Would Have Closed Dangerous Loopholes in State Gun Laws
Domestic violence homicide makes up 32 percent of all homicides in Virginia. Of these, 65.5
percent are committed with a firearm. While Virginia law has some protections in place for
domestic violence victims, fatal loopholes in the law exist that put survivors at serious risk.
The four bills the Governor vetoed in March would have closed those lethal loopholes and given law enforcement, courts and communities the tools needed to prevent domestic violence homicides in the state. Instead, Governor Youngkin chose with his vetoes to allow those convicted of domestic violence or subject to a protective order easy access to firearms.
“Fully one-third of Virginians are, at some point, endangered by the people with whom they share their lives. I am deeply disappointed that when given the opportunity to better protect innocent lives, uphold our laws against domestic abusers and lift up families, this administration has instead turned its back on women and families,” said Senator Barbara Favola, 40th Senate district. “There are 4.5 million women in this country who have been threatened with a firearm by an intimate partner. This must change. We must disarm abusers, whether married or not. The Governor’s veto of these bills protects abusers and undermines public safety,” said Delegate Adele McClure, 2nd House district.
“When I told my abusive husband that I was leaving, he decided to shoot and kill me. A gun was central to his plan, and without it, he would not have had the means to carry it out,” said Lisette Johnson, survivor of domestic violence gun violence. “When controlling and abusive individuals have access to guns, the only wild cards are when it will happen and who will be present.”
Virginia Among Dwindling Number of States That Have Yet to Safeguard Victims by Closing Deadly Loopholes
HB 46 and SB 47, which the governor vetoed on March 8, would have closed a fatal loophole that allowed those convicted of assaulting a family our household member or those issued a final protective order—people who are not allowed to own a firearm—to hand their firearms over to a member of their household. These bills would have prohibited this transfer. Only one-third of U.S. states, including Virginia, have yet to close this loophole. As a result of Gov. Youngkin’s veto, Virginia remains a member of this notorious group.
HB 362 and SB 642 would have closed a loophole in current statute that allows those who commit domestic violence against a dating or intimate partner—aka the boyfriend loophole—to continue to possess their firearms. Currently, an individual convicted of assault and battery against a family or household member is prohibited from possession of firearms. However, no such protection exists for survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence who are not married and not cohabitating with their intimate partner. Federal law and nearly half of the states in the U.S. have eliminated the boyfriend loophole, and with his veto on March 25, Governor Youngkin declined to join the growing number of states that put victims’ lives and safety ahead of other political priorities.
“During my years as a prosecutor, I fought day-in and day-out to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I walked alongside them and bore witness to tragedy after tragedy,” said Senator Russet Perry of Virginia’s 31st Senate District. “I also shared in their righteous anger when gaps in Virginia’s laws left them vulnerable to abuse. In Richmond, we have the power to fill those gaps, protect victims and save lives. That’s what SB 642 would have done: closed the boyfriend loophole and saved lives. The Governor’s veto does nothing to preserve public safety, but it will cost lives that could have been saved had he instead signed these bills into law.”
“Our focus was clear – we wanted to protect survivors of domestic violence from gun violence and save lives. I am deeply disappointed that Governor Youngkin decided to veto these basic accountability measures,” said Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, 5th House District.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of the survivors that have been threatened and coerced by their abusers because they have easy access to guns,” said Diana Ortiz, president and CEO of Doorways, Arlington’s sexual and domestic violence agency. “In Arlington, we work closely with our partners in public safety, law enforcement and the courts to disarm abusers before their violence becomes lethal. But we need to continue strengthening Virginia’s protections for survivors and give communities the tools they need to prevent senseless homicides.”
Watch Recording
ABOUT VIRGINIA SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION ALLIANCE: The Action Alliance is Virginia’s leading voice on sexual and domestic violence. As a network of survivors, sexual and domestic violence agencies, and allies, we work to strengthen Virginia’s response to and prevention of sexual and domestic violence. For more information, visit www.vsdvaa.org.
ABOUT DOORWAYS: Since 1978, Doorways has provided Arlington’s only emergency shelter for survivors of intimate partner violence. Today, Doorways’ dual state-accredited response to domestic and sexual violence includes community-based, shelter, and housing programs, as well as youth-driven prevention programing which empowers young people to stop abuse before it starts. For more information, visit www.doorwaysva.org.
You deserve safety and support. Whether someone has hurt you in the past or is hurting you now, we’re here to listen, and connect you to resources closest to you.
Statewide Hotline | Call: 800.838.8238 | Text: 804.793.9999 | Chat: www.vadata.org/chat
Doorways’ 24-Hour Hotline | Call: 703-237-0881
Free. Confidential. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year.
Doorways’ Community Services Center Ribbon-Cutting and Open House
It was a bright, sunny morning as we welcomed more than 60 guests into our new Community Services Center (CSC) on Friday, April 5th. Many Doorways staff were onsite to provide guided tours of the trauma-informed space and share about their work and backgrounds.
Michelle Sagatov, President of Doorways’ Board of Directors, welcomed everyone into the new Center and thanked our community for always being so supportive of our work and mission. As she introduced Diana Ortiz, President and CEO of Doorways since 2021, Michelle shared that Diana had first been with Doorways from 2009 to 2018, and that although she left to pursue other ventures for time, “once you have Doorways in your heart, it’s there forever.”
Diana Ortiz thanked everyone, and especially Amazon, Washington Workplace, and the Garrett Group for their support in making the Center a beautiful and functional reality. The space has been intentionally designed with features that help protect the safety and confidentiality of both clients and staff. Diana also reiterated that the need for Doorways has continued to grow over the past 5 years, and that is a leading reason for creating this new Center.
Kate Bates, President and CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, also spoke, saying that nonprofits like Doorways are a valuable part of the Arlington community, helping to make Arlington a great place to live, work, and play.
Diana welcomed Michelle, along with Melissa Kenney (Doorways Chief Operations Officer) and Virginia Dominguez (Revive Counseling Manager), to officially cut the purple ribbon and mark the opening of our new Center.
Special thanks also to volunteers from Elevation Church who helped greet and guide our guests. We appreciate you!
Event Photos
Doorways opens new headquarters amid surging domestic violence rates in Arlington
Written by Daniel Egitto for ARLnow.com, April 9, 2024
An Arlington service provider for survivors of abuse celebrated the opening of a new, expanded headquarters last week.
Doorways hosted a ribbon cutting at the Community Services Center at 671 N. Glebe Road, a space designed around the needs of people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. The spacious, brightly lit office in a Ballston high rise is meant to create a more comfortable environment for people seeking Doorways services, as well as the nonprofit’s employees.
“We are trying to make this as cozy and as trauma-informed as possible,” Counseling Program Manager Virginia Dominguez told ARLnow on a tour of the space.
New sound machines in the center’s counseling rooms protect clients’ privacy, while the larger office allows more staff members to work in person. The upgrade was possible thanks to a grant from Amazon, Doorways CEO Diana Ortiz said.
“This is a space that has a trauma-informed environment that will feel safe, that is promoting healing, that is promoting the dignity of our clients,” she said. “It’s a space that fosters safety, a space that inspires respect for the humanity of everyone.”
The headquarters is the latest piece of Doorways’ plans to address surging numbers of people seeking emergency shelter in Arlington.
In 2018, according to Doorways’ latest annual report, the nonprofit’s “safehousing” programs offered shelter to 58 survivors. Last year, that number had swelled to 135 people — more than half of whom were children.