Community Gives Over $200,000 to Empower Survivors of Homelessness and Abuse
350 people gathered at Doorways’ 6th Annual Brighter Futures Breakfast to celebrate and support survivors
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.
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.