Anita’s Story

Due to medical complications experienced during pregnancy, Anita was placed
on bed rest and lost her job, thus creating financial dependency on her abusive
husband. After her baby arrived, the abuse worsened. With the help of Arlington
County Police, the family arrived at Doorways Domestic Violence Safehouse.
Just 23 years old, Anita had a high school diploma, but years of living in abuse had
prevented her from pursuing college or career goals. Having grown up in an abusive
home, Anita knew very little about how to care for her infant.

The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing agreed to rent to Anita while she
continued her progress toward independence, knowing she would have Doorways’
support for the security deposit, first month’s rent, and utilities for several months
while she continued to progress toward independence. Anita was referred to AFAC
for food for her family while she worked part-time and enrolled in a job training
program.

Doorways worked with Anita to develop a budget for monthly expenses, to repair
her credit, and to resolve issues from identity theft committed by her abusive partner.
The Doorways Court Advocate assisted Anita in obtaining a protective order,
child custody, visitation, and child support. Anita’s counselor helped her find quality
affordable childcare enabling her to work, and met with her weekly to strengthen
her parenting skills.

Today, the family is thriving in their safe, stable home and Anita is a proud working
mother providing for her family.

This story was originally published in Arlington’s Safety-Net Nonprofits: Advancing the Common Good, a report from the Marymount University Nonprofit Resource Center in partnership with the Arlington Community Foundation describing the role of 14 safety-net nonprofits in our community, including Doorways. Read the report to learn how we leverage resources to accomplish our missions, multiply our impact through strategic collaboration, and more.