Written by Daniel Egitto for ARLnow.com, April 9, 2024

An Arlington service provider for survivors of abuse celebrated the opening of a new, expanded headquarters last week.

Doorways hosted a ribbon cutting at the Community Services Center at 671 N. Glebe Road, a space designed around the needs of people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. The spacious, brightly lit office in a Ballston high rise is meant to create a more comfortable environment for people seeking Doorways services, as well as the nonprofit’s employees.

“We are trying to make this as cozy and as trauma-informed as possible,” Counseling Program Manager Virginia Dominguez told ARLnow on a tour of the space.

New sound machines in the center’s counseling rooms protect clients’ privacy, while the larger office allows more staff members to work in person. The upgrade was possible thanks to a grant from Amazon, Doorways CEO Diana Ortiz said.

“This is a space that has a trauma-informed environment that will feel safe, that is promoting healing, that is promoting the dignity of our clients,” she said. “It’s a space that fosters safety, a space that inspires respect for the humanity of everyone.”

The headquarters is the latest piece of Doorways’ plans to address surging numbers of people seeking emergency shelter in Arlington.

In 2018, according to Doorways’ latest annual report, the nonprofit’s “safehousing” programs offered shelter to 58 survivors. Last year, that number had swelled to 135 people — more than half of whom were children.

Continue reading on ARLnow.com.

For more ways kids and teens can kid involved with Doorways’ mission, please check out our Kids’ Corner!

14 Places to Volunteer with Kids and Teens
Arlington Magazine, November 27, 2023, Stephanie Kanowitz

Doorways: Concerned Arlington residents started Doorways in 1978 as a safe haven for families in crisis. The organization provides shelter, with a mission of helping people find a way out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault. Although all in-person volunteer activities have a minimum age of 18, there are ways young ones can get involved. Twice a year, Doorways invites volunteers to sponsor a child—once before school starts, when you can help provide back-to-school supplies, and during the winter holidays, when you’re invited to make wishes come true for kids in need. Check the website for when sponsorship forms become available.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), an important time to highlight the issue of domestic violence and its effects on victims, survivors, families, and communities. Everyone deserves to have access to a community where people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing. We caught up with Linley Beckbridge, Director of Marketing & Communications and Advocacy at Doorways to discuss the importance of accessibility in your community.” Read more from Recite Me.

Darius Martin is thrilled to amplify awareness and generate funds with his new single, “Sparks Don’t Fly”

“R&B meets pop sensation Darius Martin releases the new single ‘Sparks Don’t Fly’ featuring Latin singer-songwriter Shantal Vella. The single is a powerful profile on the damaging effects of abusive relationships, offering an intimate window inside the emotional toll it takes on two hearts.

Teaming up with the esteemed non-profit, Doorways, and ahead of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Darius Martin is thrilled to amplify awareness and generate funds with his new single, ‘Sparks Don’t Fly’. Serving the Arlington, Virginia, community, Doorways extends comprehensive support to survivors, providing housing, counseling, court advocacy, and more. With a 24/7 hotline and a robust community outreach program, Doorways stands firmly with survivors. Darius Martin is proud to drive impactful change with this new release.

‘Sparks Don’t Fly’ blends melodic cascades of percussion with an emotive vocal symphony shared between Darius Martin and Shantal Vella. Over subtle, refined beats, ‘Sparks Don’t Fly’ will immerse you in a lyrically tender narrative, bringing awareness towards domestic violence. Darius Martin admits, ‘I wanted people who have been in abusive relationships to know they’re not alone.'” Continue reading.

“Sparks Don’t Fly” is written about domestic violence in hopes of showing listeners that they are never alone

“Darius Martin is a Los Angeles based artist who fuses elements of pop and R&B into his sonics while crafting powerful narratives that resonate with day-to-day life. His newly released single, “Sparks Don’t Fly” featuring Shantal Vella, is written about domestic violence in hopes of showing listeners that they are never alone. Martin is partnering with Doorways, an organization based in Arlington, Virginia that provides resources and support for survivors.” Continue reading.

“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. Their services include families and individual survivors of all genders as well as youth.” Read more.

See event photos on Facebook