All posts by Linley Beckbridge

Doorways Earns New State Accreditation for Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs

Awards and Honors, Press Release

Doorways announced that the agency earned full dual accreditation from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Division of Programs and Services, Victims Services, becoming one of only 12 dually accredited domestic and sexual violence agencies in Virginia. Doorways is Arlington’s only provider of safehousing (emergency shelter), services, and supportive housing for survivors and earned full accreditation for having met 100 percent of the voluntary Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards. 

Doorways’ programs have become especially critical in recent years as the number of survivors needing shelter and support increased dramatically. Over the last six years, Doorways experienced more than a 120% increase in the number of survivors and their families sheltered in their safehousing to escape imminent danger.   

“We are honored to receive this acknowledgement of the quality and consistency of our work, particularly as we are working to expand our programs,” said Diana Ortiz, M.Ed., LPC, President and CEO. In response to increasing need, Doorways is expanding their safehousing and supportive housing programs. Doorways is also expanding their prevention and outreach efforts, which help reduce domestic and sexual violence by engaging youth around topics like safe and respectful relationships and consent. “I am immensely proud of our team for all their hard work and dedication to our clients, especially as the number of people we are serving continues to grow,” Ortiz said.  

Doorways’ fully accredited programs further include a 24-hour hotline (703-237-0881) for support, information, and access to Doorways’ safehousing and services. Among those services are hospital accompaniment for survivors seeking forensic exams following sexual assault and/or domestic violence; mobile advocacy, which connects specially trained advocates to survivors needing support out in the community; court advocacy to aid survivors in navigating legal protections such as protective orders; and counseling for individuals of all ages who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence, as well as support groups. Anyone in need of information or support related to domestic and sexual violence is encouraged to call Doorways’ hotline at 703-237-0881. 

As a private nonprofit, Doorways relies on community support from individuals, businesses, and foundations for about half of its funding every year. In order to meet the growing need for survivor safehousing and services, Doorways needs the support of this community to provide safe harbor, healing, and hope to those impacted by domestic and sexual violence in Arlington. Learn more and donate now at www.doorwaysva.org.  

This SAAPM, send the gift of self-care to a survivor at Doorways

Uncategorized

Want to help empower a survivor this Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)? This year, we are hosting a fundraiser designed to do just that! We’re asking donors to select from 3 different empowerment gift bundles designed to aid our clients in healing, self-care, and self-love.

In addition to the specially tailored items, we’re asking donors to provide a gift card, at whichever level works best, to complete their gift bundle. We ask for gift cards as they empower our clients with the opportunity and freedom to show themselves some love!

Below you can find a description of each available bundle along with their estimated value:

  • Skincare Empowerment Bundle ($16 value): Who doesn’t love an at home Spa Day! Included in this kit is a wonderful assortment for a relaxing self-love skincare routine!
  • Crafting Empowerment Bundle ($25 value): With a combination of relaxing coloring books, and paint by number kits, this bundle opens the door to artistic expression!
  • Ultimate Self-Care Empowerment Bundle ($46 value): Skincare, crafts, sensory toys, and comforting weighted plushies combine to create our ultimate self-care empowerment bundle!

For more ways to take action during SAAPM, check out:

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM): 5 Ways to Take Action

Call for Poets: Embrace Your Voice 2023 Poetry Share

Prevention and Outreach

About the event

Register today to participate in the ninth annual Embrace Your Voice 2023 poetry share. This survivor-centered event is hosted in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) by Doorways, Friends of Guest House, and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center.

This year’s poetry share will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event, with attendees and poets participating from the Lee Center in Alexandria or online via Zoom.

Sign up to share your work

To share your work, please register as a poet (in-person or virtual) by April 18th. We will send you a participant consent form and request a copy of your poem(s) to review in advance. We look forward to hearing from you!

Arlington Magazine Test of Time Profile

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As Doorways marks its 45th anniversary, expanding safehousing is a top priority

“Forty-five years ago, a group of Arlington community members came together to solve a critical problem: when a neighbor was in crisis, they had no place to go. Together, they created Arlington’s first safehousing solution.

The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter (TACTS), as it was called, was and remains Arlington’s only domestic violence safehouse. What began as TACTS—one shelter, a single response—is now Doorways, an entire spectrum of trauma-informed programs, including community-based support, shelters, supportive housing and client services.”

Read more in Arlington Magazine’s March-April 2023 issue.

Doorways Named 2023 Community Partner of the Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.

Press Release, Uncategorized

The Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. proudly recognized Doorways as a 2023 Community Partner grant recipient! See the complete list of 2023 Community Partner grant recipient here.

“We are so proud of the tremendous work you are doing in our community and it is an honor to partner with you,” wrote Lavern Chatman, Chair, Corporate/Community Partnerships of The Arlington Chapter. “We look forward to working with you to deliver transformational programs in our community.”

The Arlington Chapter supports other non-profit organizations in the community through grants. Established in the 1980’s,  the Annual Community Partnership Grant Program opened an avenue to invite small grant applications from non-profit community partners that would help expand the chapter’s program focus and outreach to make a difference in the communities.  Each year the Arlington (VA) Chapter awards grants to small 501c3 organizations, that provide transitional housing, quality educational programs to children, youth and family economic empowerment focusing.

Doorways thanks the Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc. for their steadfast partnership and support!

Be an Askable Adult, with Ashley Blowe, Siobhan Grayson & Scotney Young

Education, Prevention and Outreach

“There’s this fear — this misunderstanding — that youth should be seen and not heard, and that’s just not a thing anymore.” –Siobhan Grayson

What makes someone “askable”?

Arlington, Virginia has launched an “Askable Adult” program to build adults’ capacity to be nonjudgmental and approachable resources and supports for youth in the county. Program proponents believe that everyone has a role to play in supporting the health and well-being of children and youth in the community.

And on their short list of key skills that make adults more askable? Be a curious co-pilot.

To help us learn what it means to be an Askable Adult, the Choose to Be Curious podcast welcomed three dynamic and devoted Arlington community builders: Ashley Blowe, Training and Prevention Specialist, Department of Human Services; Siobhan Grayson, Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Prevention Unit under the Department of Human Services; and Scotney Young, Prevention and Outreach Manager at Doorways, a domestic and sexual violence response organization.

Commanders player James Smith-Williams advocates for survivors and their pets

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“James Smith-Williams plays defense for the Washington Commanders. But off the field, he defends survivors of domestic violence,” WUSA9 reports.

“According to Purple Leash Project, only 15% of domestic violence shelters allow pets.”

“It’s not really a highlighted cause, but [domestic violence victims] stay because pets are an extension of their family,” James said.

“That’s why he’s teaming up with Purina and the Purple Leash Project for an initiative to increase pet-friendly domestic abuse shelters,” like Doorways.

In May 2009, Doorways became the only shelter in Virginia, and one of nine in the country, to offer safe shelter for people and pets fleeing violence. The all-weather kennel, which has heat, air conditioning, and indoor/outdoor areas, can house dogs, cats, and other small animals like hamsters and turtles. Learn more about our Domestic Violence Safehouse.

“Smith-Williams will continue to use his platform to make sure survivors of domestic violence and their pets stay together by wearing custom Purple Leash cleats for the Commanders’ Week 13 game this season,” WUSA9 reports.

Household Pets Flee Violence, Too

Uncategorized

Cleaning supplies, sheets, garbage bags and cat beds. Doorways has a wish list for the occupants of their Domestic Violence Safehouse which includes the residents as well as their pets. Doorways is the only shelter in Virginia and one of nine in the country who offer safe shelter for people and pets fleeing violence. The all weather kennel has heat and air conditioning and indoor and outdoor areas.

“We know that leaving a pet behind is a barrier to fleeing domestic violence,” says Joy Myers, Doorways’ Chief Development Officer. Continue reading.