Partners In Action
Founded By Community Partners
Prior to Doorways’ founding, the only shelter for women and families who were homeless or fleeing domestic violence in Arlington was a night in a motel. In 1978, a concerned group of interfaith community members organized to create a shelter in Arlington that would serve those who were homeless or fleeing domestic violence. During the 1980s, two houses were purchased to establish permanent homes for our two shelters. The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter (TACTS), now known as Doorways for Women and Families began.
Over the years, Doorways has benefited from the support of thousands of volunteers. Individuals, corporate employees as well as civic, faith and youth groups all provide invaluable assistance in spreading awareness about homelessness and domestic violence, supporting and caring for families in a time of crisis, holding collection drives, or providing administrative support.
Partnerships with Individuals in our Community
- First emergency shelter dedication.
Doorways has created long lasting partnerships with individuals in our community who have made the commitment to ensure Doorways can provide vital support services to families in crisis in Arlington and Northern Virginia. These partnerships are both formal and informal and fall into a variety of categories from individuals who give monetary donations to support families on a monthly or annual basis to individuals who donate new or gently used items our families need. View individual giving partnerships and opportunities.
Beginning with our roots, we have relied on volunteers to ensure we are able to offer supportive services to the community in an effective and affordable manner. We still utilize volunteers daily to meet the ongoing needs of both the agency and our families. Last year alone individuals donated over 6,700 hours of volunteer services—valued at over $130,000! Our amazing and dedicated volunteers complete many tasks from answering calls on the domestic violence hotlines, to offering interpretive services for clients with limited English skills, to running special events. View volunteer opportunities.
Partnerships with Civic and Faith Organizations
From our inception we have had a strong partnership with our civic and faith community groups. These groups come together to offer monetary and in-kind support to Doorways programs and families. Whether it is by hosting a collection drive for needed items, attending a special event or making an annual donation, these groups are one of the many reasons we have thrived in the Arlington community. View a list of our most recent partnerships.
Partnerships with Foundations
Doorways could not operate without the generous support of numerous private and corporate foundations in the Greater Washington DC region and beyond. This year, private grants will provide nearly 30% of Doorways’ revenue. View some of our current partnerships.
Partnerships with Businesses
The Corporate Ambassadors program is a leadership group of corporations that works in partnership with Doorways to end homelessness and domestic violence in our community.
This new partnership enables companies to make annual contributions in support of Doorways’ mission and programs and take advantage of a variety of benefits throughout the year that fit your company’s philanthropic goals. View the benefits of being an ambassador and current members.
Partnerships with Colleges and Universities
Doorways is aware of the national increase of dating and relationship violence among teens and college students. We know that one in five dating college relationships includes some form of dating violence.
Doorways seeks to combat dating violence in our community by offering services and support to local college campuses. We do this by facilitating an annual educational program called the Red Flag Campaign that educates students about the warning signs of dating violence and empowers bystanders to take an active role in ending violence in our community.
Partnerships in Community Advocacy
Doorways is a strong advocate for the rights and needs of survivors and victims of family violence and homelessness and for the ultimate elimination of domestic violence and family homelessness. In order to be effective, Doorways must advocate for those experiencing these challenges on multiple levels as individuals, as a community and institutionally through public policy and systems advocacy. Two ways in which Doorways actively works with the Arlington community to address the issues of domestic violence and homelessness are Project PEACE and the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.
