Serving the Arlington community since 1978
24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881
What are the basic needs in our community? How are they being met? This report from the Marymount University Nonprofit Resource Center in partnership with the Arlington Community Foundation describes the role of 14 safety-net nonprofits in our community, including Doorways for Women and Families. Learn how we leverage resources to accomplish our missions, multiply our impact through strategic collaboration, and more:
Washington Area Women’s Foundation announced today grants totaling $820,000 to 22 local nonprofits dedicated to improving the economic security of low-income women and girls in the Washington metropolitan region. With this grant docket, Washington Area Women’s Foundation increases its grantmaking by 30 percent over last year’s investments. The Women’s Foundation is the only donor-supported, public foundation solely focused on improving the economic security of women and girls in the Washington region.
.@DoorwaysVA provides critical asset building & workforce development programs. We’re proud to support their work https://t.co/XN06nZL96H
— TheWomen’sFoundation (@TheWomensFndtn) December 22, 2015
Originally posted by Matrix Group International, Inc. on matrixgroup.net.
Matrix Group, a digital agency in the Washington DC area specializing in web design, development, AMS, integration, mobile and e-marketing services, announces the launch a newly redesigned website for Arlington, VA’s Doorways for Women and Families.
Doorways for Women and Families (often called “Doorways”) is an organization that takes a multi-pronged approach to helping women and families in crisis find safety and shelter, address trauma and develop skills for self-sufficiency, and ultimately, build a brighter future. The organization started as a grassroots movement in 1978 and has grown to offer many paths for women, men, and children to move out of poverty and instability into safe housing, solid employment, and long-term stability.
The previous site had served its purpose for many years. It educated survivor, supporter, and donor alike and helped people take the first steps out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault. However, with an ever-increasing number of Americans exclusively using their phones to navigate the internet – and with a key part of their audience unable to access the internet from a home – Doorways knew the time had come for a new, responsive site.
Matrix Group and Doorways have long been partners, so when the organization came to us with the need for an updated, modern website, we were eager to make large-scale changes. We:
“There are no adequate words to appropriately thank Matrix Group for donating their valuable time and expertise in designing our beautiful new site,” says Caroline Jones, President and CEO of Doorways for Women and Families. “As an agency that provides a 24-hour response to women, men and children in harm’s way, it is critical that our website be easily accessible and highly responsive. The team at Matrix thought of every detail and supported us at every step along the way. We are thrilled with the results and could not be more grateful for our partnership!”
At Doorways, we have a history of working hard to unravel some of the most complex, multi-faceted issues our community faces.
The issue of sexual assault has been a regular topic in the news of late — from national headlines about college campuses failing to properly respond to survivors, to local reports of women being attacked in our neighborhoods while walking home at night or jogging in the park.
Download our latest newsletter to learn how we’re addressing sexual assault in our community, read inspiring letters from our clients, hear from Ali Safran, founding director of Surviving in Numbers, plus more:
Keller Williams Arlington Community Total Support (KW ACTS) was honored to host the 8th Annual Bridging the Gap Gala. The event raised funds and brought community attention to two of Arlington’s housing focused non-profits, Doorways for Women and Families and A-SPAN (Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network).
Doorways for Women and Families, a nonprofit, community service organization that creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives, proudly announced today that October has been officially declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Arlington County.
The declaration was shared on October 6 at the Arlington County Courthouse during the Third Annual “Purple Out Courthouse” to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Nearly 100 people clad in purple gathered to take part, including the Arlington Victim/Witness Program, Police and Sheriff’s Departments, Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, County Board, Circuit Court judges, County Clerk and other community members. Arlington County Board Member John Vihstadt shared the official proclamation following Arlington County Board Member Libby Garvey, who serves as Co-Chair to Arlington’s Project PEACE. Both leaders shared inspired and moving commitment to support our community in addressing the needs of survivors of abuse.
“I’m thrilled by the show of support for our purple out event,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos. “I’m particularly gratified by this proclamation because it recognizes that domestic violence is a community problem that requires a coordinated community response. My office is committed to continuing our partnership with Doorways for Women and Families and Arlington Project PEACE to address the needs of survivors and to educate the public.”
“Behind this momentous proclamation, there is much, much more,” said Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones. “The impressive range in attendees today demonstrates our meaningful collaboration, the collective dedication to responding to survivors and, importantly, the growing value of the importance for our community to address the range of needs survivors face. Doorways is grateful to our many community partners for their support of women, men and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.”
Last year, Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse provided emergency shelter to 45 adults and 41 children escaping violence. Doorways’ Court Advocacy program helped 403 adults and children gain legal protections to ensure their safety. Calls to Doorways’ 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline increased by 53 percent over those received last year, and the hotline responded to 1,244 callers, impacting 2,012 adults and children.
“Given the increasing demand for our services, recognizing the growing need for support in our community is more critical than ever,” Jones said. “Doorways is grateful to all those who are taking part in recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Arlington to bring further attention to survivors’ multiple needs and the ongoing support, resources and teamwork required to address them.”
To learn more about how Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives, and to get involved, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org. If you or someone you know is being hurt by or fearful of their partner, please call Doorways’ 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at (703) 237-0881.
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender, and income levels; and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is widespread and affects over 4 million Americans each year; with one in three Americans having witnessed an incident of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, children that grow up in violent homes are abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average; and
WHEREAS, 2015 marks the 21th Anniversary of the Violence against Women Act (VAWA), groundbreaking legislation that comprehensively addresses domestic and sexual violence and stalking in our country; and since it was introduced, violence against family members and intimate partners in the United States has declined 67%; and reporting of such violence by both women and men has increased; and
WHEREAS, Arlington County has benefited from the establishment of a coordinated community response (Project PEACE) to violence that encourages victim safety and offender accountability; and Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about preventing domestic violence and to show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, services and assistance to victims;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mary Hughes Hynes, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, do hereby proclaim October 2015, as
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
in Arlington County, to honor people impacted by domestic violence and those in our community committed to ensuring a proactive and coordinated community response to domestic violence, and urge our residents to work together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.
Arlington, VA – October 1, 2015 – Doorways for Women and Families, an Arlington nonprofit creating pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault, proudly announced today that community members gave more than $200,000 during the sixth annual Brighter Futures Breakfast last Friday, September 25.
The event, made possible by lead sponsors AvalonBay Communities, Clark Construction, The Keri Shull Team, Orange Line Living and the Shooshan Company, brought together 350 community members, including local business and civic leaders, government officials, neighborhood associations, faith groups and generous individuals.
“Now, more than ever, we need the support of our community to ensure we can continue to provide assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Caroline Jones, president and CEO of Doorways. “We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for our services this past year. Calls to our 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline rose by 53 percent, and the number of men, women and children served throughout all our programs grew by 24 percent to 2,708.”
During the one-hour event, Doorways clients shared their incredible journeys out of crisis, illustrating what this community makes possible by supporting Doorways’ mission and programs. “They really understood what I was going through, heard my situation out and decided to help me,” said Alisa, a Doorways graduate from 2009. “They let me know that anything was possible. When you are in a dark place, sometimes it’s hard to see the light. Doorways…turns that light on for you.”
“While we can’t take away all the things that have happened in our clients lives, we can make sure these obstacles and experiences don’t define them or limit their potential,” said Jones. “Some of best people I’ve had the pleasure to know have been the clients at Doorways – people like Alisa and her daughters.”
In addition to the event’s lead sponsors, this Brighter Futures Breakfast was backed by supporting sponsors First Virginia Community Bank and McEnearney Associates; contributing sponsors the Arlington Community Foundation and John Marshall Bank; gift sponsor Donna Hamaker, Realtor of Buck and Associates; and media and promotional sponsors Arlington Magazine and Signs by Tomorrow.
To learn more about family homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and how you can help address these issues, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org. If you or someone who know are in need of support, being hurt by or fearful of your partner, please call Doorways’ 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at (703) 237-0881.
September 29, 2015 – ARLINGTON, Va. – October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Arlington County Police Department has partnered with Doorways for Women and Families, our community advocate, to bring attention to this worthy cause.
During the month of October a purple ribbon, donated by Doorways, will be displayed on many Arlington County Police Department vehicles in support of the efforts to reduce the incidence and severity of domestic violence in our community.
In 2014, officers with Arlington County Police Department were dispatched to 2,086 incidents that were domestic violence in nature. Of those incidents, police made 196 arrests for domestic assault. “Eliminating domestic violence requires collaborative prevention and response efforts and the Police Department believes the partnership with Doorways is a step in that direction,” comments M. Jay Farr, Chief of Police.
Doorways for Women and Families is a nonprofit, community service organization that creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives. Last year, Doorways Domestic Violence Safehouse provided emergency shelter to 45 adults and 41 children escaping violence. Their Court Advocacy program helped 403 adults and children gain legal protections to ensure their safety, and the 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline responded to 1,244 callers, impacting 2,012 adults and children. “Calls to our Hotline have increased by 53% over those received last year. Doorways is grateful for our many partners who support the critical response for the many women, men and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault,” says Caroline Jones, Doorways President and CEO.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in 1981. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state and national level. The activities conducted had three common themes that remain a key focus to this day: mourning those that have died because of domestic violence; celebrating those who have survived; and connecting those who have worked to end violence.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, and in 1989, the United States Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October as the official month.
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Arlington Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the “10 miles square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation’s Capital. Slightly smaller than 26 square miles, it is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, and one of only a handful with the prized Aaa/AAA/AAA bond rating. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods and quality schools, and has received numerous awards for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world — including the Pentagon — Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
Originally published on newsroom.arlingtonva.us.
Doorways for Women and Families, an Arlington nonprofit creating pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault, proudly announced today that its President and CEO, Caroline Jones, has won the 2015 Brava Award. Jones will be recognized at an awards reception on July 30.
Jones, who holds a Master’s in Social Work with emphasis on child welfare and clinical intervention, has dedicated more than 18 years of service to at-risk children and families. Jones joined Doorways as director of Doorways’ HomeStart Supportive Housing Program (formerly the Transitional Housing Program), in 2003. In 2005, Jones was promoted to client service director. Under her leadership, Doorways transformed client service delivery to provide comprehensive, family-centered and strength-based support for women and families.
When Jones was named Doorways’ executive director in 2011, she further strengthened the organization by empowering staff, forming strategic partnerships and improving organizational structure and efficiency. Her extensive experience in leadership, direct client services, program development and evaluation, mutual competency models of supervision, community partnerships and advocacy has led to Doorways’ growth and continued success.
“Caroline is an exceptional leader of an amazing team of dedicated staff,” said Doorways Board President Christy Cole. “She manages the intense operational demands of her role while adeptly cultivating relationships with key external stakeholders including government agencies, corporate partners and individual donors. Caroline brings a wealth of skills, experience, passion and dedication to her work. Please join us in congratulating Caroline for this well-deserved recognition of her outstanding leadership and her ongoing role in Doorways’ success.”
“I’m honored to receive the 2015 Brava Award along with many impactful leaders,” Jones said. “I am so grateful for Doorways’ dedicated community of supporters and our staff and volunteers for making our work possible, and I thank our survivors for teaching us how to have the greatest impact in their lives and our community.”
[Caroline] Jones explains “Family Homelessness” is a category of its own. These are families who don’t know where they are going to be in a day or two. They may be housed in a situation where they are living in a one bedroom apartment with 10 other people, or in a home where they can only remain if they provide sexual favors. Jones said: “When families lack safe housing, they don’t live on the streets. Rather they struggle to find any and every place where they can temporarily stay while trying to flee abuse or rebound from extreme hardship. While not all of these families need shelter, we must continue to look at the totality of needs and ensure the services exist to support these adults, youth and children.” Read more in the Arlington Connection.