Serving the Arlington community since 1978
24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881
“It was a sell out crowd for the 14th annual Doorways Pig and Oyster Roast fundraiser held at Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company on Thursday, May 4,” the Arlington Connection reported. “The event raised $7,500 to support Doorways programs including shelter, housing and services for victims of domestic and sexual violence.” Read more.
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:
For more ways to take action during SAAPM, check out:
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM): 5 Ways to Take Action
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.
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!
“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.
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!
“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.
“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.
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.
Arlington, VA — June 7, 2022 — Today, local nonprofit Doorways, the only domestic and sexual violence shelter and services provider in Arlington and the City of Falls Church, announced an initiative to provide additional safety tools to survivors. Ring, whose mission is to make neighborhoods safer, will be donating up to 1,000 Ring Video Doorbells and Security Cameras to Doorways to be shared with clients, along with a free Ring Protect Plan subscription for the life of each device. In addition to this device donation, Ring will also provide a monetary contribution to help amplify Doorways’ impact for survivors across Arlington and surrounding communities.
Doorways will share devices with survivors on a case-by-case basis and as needed to support peace of mind for survivors. The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines a safety plan as a set of actions that can help lower risk of being hurt by a partner. Tools like Ring devices can help reduce risk during interactions among current or former partners, such as custody exchanges and visitation.
“Thanks to this initiative with Ring, we are able to get additional safety tools into the hands of our clients who would not otherwise be able to access them,” said Doorways President and CEO, Diana Ortiz. “Many of our clients have expressed that they want to utilize tools such as the Ring cameras and doorbells, but they do not have the means to purchase the devices and subscriptions. We are grateful that this donation will enable Doorways to meet our clients’ needs at no cost to them or the organization, so we can continue using our resources to provide shelter, supportive housing, and 24/7 services.” Ortiz went on to say that “corporate collaborations, such as this with Ring, help sustain Doorways’ life-saving programs and have been especially critical during the pandemic.”
“Many of our clients have expressed that they want to utilize tools such as the Ring cameras and doorbells, but they do not have the means to purchase the devices and subscriptions. We are grateful that this donation will enable Doorways to meet our clients’ needs.”
“Diana and her team work tirelessly to respond to each of their client’s individual and family needs and help them achieve the best outcomes,” said Karla Torres, Head of Community Engagement at Ring. “Doorways takes a community-based approach to supporting survivors, including offering comprehensive services like advocacy, counseling, and housing within and beyond Doorways. We believe in advancing their efforts in Arlington and enhancing their safety planning for clients to build safe and stable futures.”
“I’m proud to support Doorways’ collaboration with Ring that adds to the safety tools available for survivors of domestic violence,” said Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola. “These devices help make it possible for survivors to return to normal routines with a sense of security and confidence. There is nothing more important than giving survivors hope and that’s what this donation is all about.”