Spotlight: Doorways for Women and Families

Every day this week, Patch is profiling a local nonprofit agency. If there's a nonprofit that you think your neighbors need to know about, email Doug Tallman or .

Mission: To envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing. We see a future without homelessness or domestic violence. And it’s why we offer safe shelter and housing, life-changing support services, and community advocacy.

Contact Information: Phone: (703) 504-9400; Fax: (703) 522-4338; Address: P.O. Box 100185 Arlington, Va., 22210; Website: www.doorwaysva.org

Financials: The organization programs are grounded in evidence-based models that yield optimal outcomes in areas of child welfare, family preservation, family violence intervention, housing first, financial literacy and client empowerment. According to the website, last year Doorway provided residential services to 120 households in crisis, 91 adults with 758 financial literacy sessions, and direct services to 162 children.

History: According to Heather O'Malley, the development director for the organization, "Doorways for Women and Families envisions a community where all people live free of domestic violence in safe and stable housing. Since 1978, we have offered a pathway out of violence and homelessness for women and families in our community. In 2011 alone, Doorways helped 2,115 people impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. Doorways began as a small program providing hotel rooms or short shelter stays (we rented our first shelter for only $100 a month in 1979) with very minimal support services to a handful of families in crisis. ... Two houses were purchased in the 1980s to provide dedicated temporary housing and supportive programs to women and families in a comfortable environment. In 1996, we launched a supportive transitional housing program to meet the critical client service need after 'graduating' from temporary shelter. We began offering counseling, children’s services and transitional housing support. Today, we have grown to offer a wide array of holistic, client-centered services to meet the varied and profound needs presented by the families we serve and to offer them the greatest chance of success."

How you can help:  If interested in volunteering with Doorway please complete the Volunteer Application and email it to sschonenberger@DoorwaysVA.org or mail it to: Attention Volunteer Coordinator, P.O. Box 100185, Arlington, Va. 22201.

To make a monetary donation via mail, please make check payable to Doorways for Women and Families and mail to: P.O. Box 100185, 
Arlington, Va. 22210.

To make a donation online using our safe and secure system, click here. 

You may also help families in shelter by purchasing one of the many items on their Amazon registry. 

For more information please contact Doorway at the information provided above.