Category Archives: Awards and Honors

Doorways Earns New State Accreditation for Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs

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 

Doorways Named ‘One of the Best’ Nonprofits by the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Doorways Named ‘One of the Best’ Nonprofits by the Catalogue for Philanthropy

As it Celebrates its 18th Anniversary Working in the Greater Washington Region, the Catalogue for Philanthropy is Proud to Honor Doorways

WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 2, 2021—After an intentional application and selection process, the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington has selected Doorways to be part of the Class of 2021-22. Doorways has undergone a rigorous review process conducted by a team of more than 170 local community advocates, and has been found to be a critical local nonprofit. Potential donors can be confident that the nonprofits in the Catalogue are worthy of their support.

Doorways is the only community-based nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Arlington and the City of Falls Church. Doorways serves survivors as well as youth and families facing homelessness across their entire journey, from shelter to independence, with supportive housing and programs like mental health counseling, financial guidance, and employment counseling. Doorways seeks to address the cycles of abuse, homelessness, and poverty in a proactive and nimble way, meeting their clients where they are and offering them support that enables long-term stability.

This year, more than 70 percent of the organizations featured in the Catalogue are women-led, and over 40 percent are BIPOC-led, including Doorways. The Catalogue network now includes more than 400 vetted nonprofits working in the arts, education, environment, and human services sectors throughout the region.

“People want to get involved in their community—they want to make a difference, close to home. Based on our rigorous review process, we believe that Doorways is a critical local nonprofit in our region,” said Matt Gayer, Co-Executive Director of the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

“We are so honored to be named ‘one of the best’ by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, reflecting Doorways’ decades-long track record of success in our community, and the daily commitment of our hardworking staff and volunteers to serve,” said Diana Ortiz, President and CEO of Doorways. “We believe that violence, abuse, or homelessness have no place here, or anywhere. But we also know the difficult truth: as many as 1 in 3 people are abused, and almost one-third of those experiencing homelessness are families and children. We know that our Black neighbors, people of color, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community are disproportionately impacted by these traumatic experiences. We are grateful to the Catalogue for recognizing Doorways’ unique role in serving Arlington and the City of Falls Church as absolutely essential.”

The Catalogue believes in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change. And they believe in Doorways to continue to further that positive change, working each day to lift up, strengthen, and enrich our local community.

Doorways Awarded Top Rating from Charity Navigator

Local Nonprofit Celebrates Anniversary Year with Another 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

Doorways’ strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the 10th time that Doorways has earned this top distinction in the last 10 years.

“Doorways’ exceptional four-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” according to Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our four-star rating. This adds Doorways to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges. Based on its four-star rating, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support Doorways.”

“This adds Doorways to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges.”

Using objective analysis, Charity Navigator awards only the most fiscally responsible organizations a four-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. On June 1, 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s financial health. These enhancements further substantiates the financial health of four-star charities.

“Receiving our tenth four-star rating during our 40th anniversary year is a testament to Doorways’ ongoing dedication to accountability, transparency and financial integrity,” said Caroline Jones, MSW, Doorways’ President and CEO. “Since 1978, our donors have given to support their neighbors in times of crisis and empower our clients to build futures free of homelessness and abuse. Doorways is proud and thankful to have earned our supporters’ respect, trust and confidence; we could not provide our life-changing programs and services without our donors’ financial investment in our clients’ safety and stability.”

“Doorways is proud and thankful to have earned our supporters’ respect, trust and confidence; we could not provide our life-changing programs and services without our donors’ financial investment in our clients.”

Doorways’ rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org.

25 Doorways Volunteers Recognized at Arlington Cares: A Celebration of Volunteerism

As part of Volunteer Arlington‘s Arlington Cares: A Celebration of Volunteerism, 25 of Doorways’ amazing volunteers were recognized for their service. In fiscal year 2017, these volunteers each gave over 100 hours of shelter coverage at the Domestic Violence Safehouse/Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home and/or Children’s Program services or 192 hours of on-call SARA coverage. They are truly rock stars and we’re extremely grateful and lucky to have them as a part of the Doorways team.

Melissa Kenney Wins 2017 Leadership Legacy Award

Doorways Volunteer Resources Manager Wins Leadership Legacy Award

Melissa Kenney Is the First Recipient of the Volunteer Arlington Award

Melissa Kenney

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, is proud to announce that Melissa Kenney, the organization’s volunteer resources manager, has received the Leadership Center for Excellence’s 2017 Volunteer Arlington Leadership Legacy Award.

“Recipients are selected for their demonstration of leadership in our community and support of the Leadership Center’s mission ‘to enlighten, inspire and connect’ leaders in our community,” the Leadership Center for Excellence said in a statement announcing the 2017 winners. “The recipients also exemplify a variety of leadership capacities, visionary thinking, servant leadership and ethics in thoughts, words and actions.”

Kenney started at Doorways as a volunteer where she logged more than 350 hours in three years helping survivors of sexual and domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness at Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse and Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home. Her roles included answering Doorways’ 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline, providing shelter coverage at the Safehouse, and supporting Children’s Services. Now, she works to train other volunteers to help carryout Doorways’ critical mission, including Sexual Assault Response Advocates (SARA volunteers).

“We are so excited that Melissa is being honored this much-deserved recognition,” said Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones. “Volunteers are critical to Doorways’ day-to-day operations, and Melissa has done exceptional work with volunteer engagement. Her dedicated support of our volunteers and our mission are exemplary, and we are proud to see her work recognized with this award.”

Doorways has three times as many volunteers as staff, and they do everything from front-line service to fundraising. Without volunteers, Doorways couldn’t deliver their life-changing services that put thousands of Arlington community members on paths to brighter futures each year.

“I love working with volunteers because they inspire me every day,” said Kenney. “Our volunteers’ passion, energy and commitment to addressing issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and family homelessness make a real difference in the lives of so many right here in our own community.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Doorways, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org/volunteer to get started.

Announcing 2017 Leadership Legacy Award Winners

From the Leadership Center for Excellence

Leadership Center for Excellence is honored to announce the recipients of the 2017 Leadership Legacy Awards, recognizing outstanding community leaders. The event honoring these leaders will be held on May 24, 2017 from 6:00pm until 9:30pm at Army Navy Country Club. Additionally, the Leadership Legacy Awards will celebrate the graduation of the Leadership Arlington Class of 2017.

This year, Leadership Center for Excellence will present awards in the following areas: Ethics, Community Impact, Nonprofit and Volunteer Arlington. We are excited to announce the following winners:

  • Ethics Award: John J. Brough, Chain Bridge Bank
  • Community Impact Award: HITT Contracting
  • Nonprofit Award: YMCA Arlington
  • Volunteer Arlington Award: Melissa Kenney, Doorways for Women and Families

Recipients are selected for their demonstration of leadership in our community and support of the Leadership Center’s mission “to enlighten, inspire and connect” leaders in our community. The recipients also exemplify a variety of leadership capacities, visionary thinking, servant leadership and ethics in thoughts, words and actions.

Read more

Volunteer Arlington Award

Melissa Kenney, Volunteer Resources Manager for Doorways for Women and Families

This year we have added a new award called the Volunteer Arlington Award. Melissa Kenney of Doorways for Women and Families is receiving this honor. Melissa started at Doorways as a volunteer where she logged more than 350 hours in three years helping homeless families and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Now, Melissa works to train other volunteers and is central to the success of Doorways.

“I love working with volunteers because they inspire me every day,” said Melissa Kenney, Volunteer Resources Manager for Doorways for Women and Families. “Our volunteers’ passion, energy and commitment to addressing issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and family homelessness make a real difference in the lives of so many right here in our own community.”

“We are honored to recognize Melissa Kenney as the recipient of our Volunteer Arlington Award,” said Betsy Frantz, President & CEO of Leadership Center for Excellence. “She truly demonstrates leadership and supports our mission to enlighten, inspire and connect leaders in our community.”

Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones Wins 2015 Brava Award

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.

Caroline's 2015 Brava Award (for Facebook)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.”

Doorways President and CEO Caroline Jones Wins 2015 Brava Award

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.”

To learn more about family homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault in Arlington and how you can help address these issues, visit www.DoorwaysVA.org.

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About Doorways:

Doorways for Women and Families is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that believes everyone deserves safe, affordable housing and a quality life. For over 37 years, we have worked to transform the lives of women and families who are facing homelessness or suffering from abuse. Beginning with a safe place to stay and continuing with services that address each individual’s needs, Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives. Thanks to community partnerships and the generosity of our supporters, our three-tiered strategy meets both the immediate and long-term needs of our clients and addresses the economic and societal issues that lead to violence, poverty and family homelessness. Join us online at www.DoorwaysVa.org.

About the Brava Awards:

The Brava Awards program celebrates female CEOs, nonprofit leaders and high impact executives who combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community. Brava Award winners are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects winners based on company growth, community impact and mentoring. SmartCEO shares their inspiring stories in the July/August issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrates their success at an awards reception in July.

Contact:

Linley Beckbridge
Communications and Outreach Manager
Doorways for Women and Families
LBeckbridge@DoorwaysVA.org
(703) 504-9283