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https://www.doorwaysva.org/

(704) 504-9400

PO Box 100185 Arlington, Virginia, 22210

CEO/Executive Director: Diana Ortiz, M.Ed., LPC

Organization Information

Doorways

EIN: 54-1087829

Mission Statement

Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. 

Program Summary

Doorways is a community-based nonprofit providing services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as youth and families experiencing homelessness. Our spectrum of services ranges from broad-reaching community engagement to wraparound support in our emergency shelter and housing programs. All of Doorways’ services are free, confidential, available in all languages (multiple languages spoken in-person onsite, and more available through a language line). Through the generosity of our partners and supporters, we help our most vulnerable neighbors survive crisis, rebuild their lives, and achieve brighter futures. 

Community Engagement: Doorways engages community members to help ensure anyone in need of our services is aware of our programs and able to access support; to partner with supporters of our mission and our safety-net peers; and to cultivate a culture of safety and respect to help prevent violence. 

Prevention and Outreach Program: Doorways’ youth-focused Prevention and Outreach Program aims to change social norms, and conditions so sexual and intimate partner violence is less likely to happen. Programming is designed to shift attitudes, behaviors, and norms that support and perpetuate the root causes of violence by promoting healthy behavior and communities. 

Community-Based Supportive Services: Doorways provides a broad range of community-based support for adults, youth, and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. 

  • 24-Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881): Doorways’ hotline provides centralized, streamlined access to our safehousing and services for survivors, as well as crisis support, safety planning, information, referrals, and additional resources. 
  • Hospital Accompaniment: Doorways’ advocates provide in-person support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault seeking medical care. 
  • Mobile Advocacy: For those survivors that may not be ready, able, or need to come into shelter, Doorways’ mobile advocates provide case management, information and referrals, and safety planning out in the community. 
  • Court Advocacy: Located at the Arlington County Courthouse, Doorways’ court advocates assist survivors in need of assistance navigating restraining orders and other long-term protections to support them and their families. 
  • Revive Domestic and Sexual Violence Counseling Program: Revive provides in-person and virtual individual and group counseling for adults, youth, and children impacted by abuse in our community to foster healing, wellness, and safety 

Emergency Shelter: Doorways provide emergency shelter paired with onsite supportive services for individuals and families escaping abuse and homelessness. Doorways operates Arlington’s Domestic Violence Safehouse, Safe Kennel, and Safe Apartments, providing emergency safe shelter for survivors, their children, and their pets. Doorways’ Family Home provides shelter for families and youth experiencing homelessness. Onsite services include trauma-informed goal planning, dedicated children’s services, financial counseling, and employment support.  

HomeStart Supportive Housing Program: Doorways provides next-step housing and support to clients graduating from shelter. Leases are placed in the client’s name, for a seamless transition to independence without the need to relocate. Trauma-informed support services continue in housing to help clients sustain safety and stability. 

Impact Statement

2023 marked Doorways’ 45th year of service to the Arlington community. We served a record number of individuals and families in need of immediate support; over the last five years, the number of survivors and their children sheltered in our safehousing has more than doubled. Doorways’ programs reached more than 2,191 adults, youth, and children, plus 956 youth who attended prevention and educational sessions. 

  • Through our community-based services, we answered 1,411 hotline calls, provided 29 hospital accompaniments, assisted 360 adults and children with court advocacy, and supported 50 adults with mobile advocacy. Our Revive counseling program provided free therapy to 236 adults, youth, and children.  
  • Doorways’ safehousing program sheltered 135 adults and children, more than any other year, and 90% of Safehouse households who disclosed their destination did not return to abusive living situations after leaving shelter. 
  • 77 adults, youth, and children were sheltered in Doorways’ Family Home, and 92% of households obtained permanent housing after shelter. 
  • 129 adults and children were served by Doorways’ HomeStart Supportive Housing Program, and 97% of families exiting HomeStart maintained their housing. 

What ways can the public get involved?

  • Host a Fundraiser or Donation Drive: Individuals and groups can support Doorways’ mission by collecting critical funds and supplies. Monetary donations and Target and VISA gift cards are needed year-round. Please contact Doorways for a current list of in-kind needs (e.g., personal and household items). Learn more at www.doorwaysva.org/join-our-cause.  
  • Host an Educational Prevention Workshop: Contact our Prevention and Outreach Program to host a free educational prevention workshop for your community/organization, or to request Doorways representation at an upcoming event. Request a workshop by visiting www.doorwaysva.org/prevention.   
  • Volunteer: Volunteers are an essential part of the Doorways team! Visit www.doorwaysva.org/volunteer to learn more, submit an online application, and plan to attend an information session to get started. 
  • For Kids and Youth: Visit Doorways’ Kids’ Corner for ways that young people can get involved, including learning about the issues with our recommended reading list, hosting a fundraiser, and more: www.doorwaysva.org/kids-corner/.  

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Every year, half of Doorways’ budget comes from private donations. These monetary gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporate, faith, civic, and community groups ensure that Doorways is able to provide safe haven to every survivor in-need.  

  • $100 could help provide a month of infant care supplies for a baby living in shelter. 
  • $250 could help provide a Revive trauma therapy session for an adult, youth, or child impacted by domestic violence. 
  • $500 could help sustain Doorways’ wraparound services in shelter and housing to promote healing, safety, and sustainability. 
  • $1,500 could help provide a security deposit for a survivor’s new apartment after graduating from shelter. 

Information provided August 2023