Category Archives: Uncategorized

Arlington Magazine Test of Time Profile

As Doorways marks its 45th anniversary, expanding safehousing is a top priority

“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.

Doorways Named 2023 Community Partner of the Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.

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!

Commanders player James Smith-Williams advocates for survivors and their pets

“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.

Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month 2022 Proclamation

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Proclamation

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

WHEREAS, Arlington County envisions a peaceful and respectful community – where diversity is celebrated, violence is not tolerated, and where all people are empowered to build healthy and safe relationships; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious but underreported crime that affects people of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and income levels in our community and across the nation – where “over one in 3 women and about one in 3 men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime,” with trans and nonbinary people experiencing the same or higher rates of violence; and

WHEREAS, as a community, Arlington is dedicated to addressing the issue of domestic, dating and intimate partner violence, ensuring those who have been harmed are offered timely, equitable, and culturally responsive support services; and

WHEREAS, our networks of support services work every hour of every day, to meet the needs of those who have been harmed, assisting those who need immediate support and meeting the ongoing needs of those experiencing any form of domestic violence, directly or vicariously; and

WHEREAS, Arlington is also dedicated to ensuring that those who have caused harm in domestic, dating, and intimate partner relationships are held accountable and offered the support services they need to address their use of violence; and

WHEREAS, under the umbrella of Project PEACE, important partnerships thrive among criminal and juvenile justice agencies, healthcare providers, allied professionals, and victim advocacy services to assist victims of domestic violence and their families, to enhance our community’s response, and enhance primary prevention; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about the impact of domestic violence in our community and to show support for those who provide critical education, advocacy, services and assistance to victims; and

WHEREAS, we dedicate ourselves to ensuring the safety of vulnerable members of our community,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Katie Cristol, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim October 2022 as

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

in Arlington County, to honor those who have lost their lives, celebrate those who survived, and encourage everyone in our community to join our efforts to end domestic violence.

Household Pets Flee Violence, Too

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.

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

“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

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.

Arlington’s Intimate Partner/Domestic and Sexual Violence Resources: You Are Not Alone

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And those numbers are often higher for folks who are transgender, gender non-conforming, or nonbinary. If you or someone you know has been impacted by intimate partner/domestic or sexual violence in Arlington, you are not alone. We are here to help: health.arlingtonva.us/view/get-help.