All posts by Linley Beckbridge

Household Pets Flee Violence, Too

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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.

Doorways Collaborates with Ring to Provide Safety Tools for Survivors

Press Release

Doorways Collaborates with Ring to Provide Safety Tools for Survivors

Senator Barbara Favola Voices Support for Initiative

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.”

The Washington Post: Depp-Heard verdict will have chilling impact on #MeToo, advocates fear

Advocacy

“Many survivors may also fear that coming forward with any claim of abuse — which is already an underreported crime — could result in a defamation suit,” wrote Linley Beckbridge, director of communications and advocacy for Doorways — an Arlington, Va., nonprofit that provides housing and other supportive services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence — in an email to The Post. “Although the support shown to Johnny Depp could signal a positive shift towards believing male survivors of intimate partner violence, the net result will probably be increased silencing and isolation of survivors, especially women.” Continue reading.

Grants Awarded to Regional Nonprofits Totaling $613,725

Press Release

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $613,735 in grants to 50 local organizations through its 2022 Community Investment Funds, Environment Fund, and Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts, helping respond to need and seed innovative solutions to complex social problems across the region.

Funds are invested in organizations across Northern Virginia in the areas of Aging, Child and Youth Development, Education, Environment, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Military Personnel and ther Families, and Safety Net to Support Basic Needs. This represents the largest ever discretionary grants cycle in the Community Foundation’s History.

Read the full press release.

“This generous grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia will help Doorways provide the services that empower individuals and families to transition from crisis to stability.” –Diana Ortiz, M.Ed., LPC, Doorways President and CEO

What it’s like to learn online from inside a homeless shelter – The Washington Post

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“The shuttering of schools nationwide in March immediately shattered any semblance of stability for millions of homeless children who depend on schools for food, emotional support, or even just a warm, uncomplicated place to think,” wrote Hannah Natanson. “Trying to learn inside shelters for the past nine months, students have faced spotty WiFi, crowded rooms, high noise levels and harassment from some peers who deduce, over Zoom, that they lack a home.”

Read more in the Washington Post to learn what it’s like to attend school virtually while living at Doorways and other shelters.

The child in the photograph above is a model whose image has been used for illustrative purposes only.

Doorways Chief Program Officer provides survivors’ perspective on FOX 5 DC

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New DNA information leads police to serial rape suspect in Virginia nearly 30 years later
By Evan Lambert and FOX 5 DC Digital Team │ Published December 2, 2020

“Knowing that the criminal justice system did its due diligence, (…) for a survivor, in particular, says that, ‘Someone believes me, and what happened to me mattered,’ and that’s incredibly validating for a survivor, especially a survivor of domestic violence or a survivor of sexual violence,” says Samantha Clarke, MSW, MPA, Chief Program Officer at Doorways. Hear more on Fox 5 DC with Evan Lambert FOX 5 DC.
If you a survivor in need of support, please contact Doorways any time at 703-237-0881. Advocates are available to speak with you 24/7. Whether you experienced something recently or years ago, you are not alone, and we are here to help. Learn more.