DoorwaysVA Blog

As we kick off this new blog, I wanted to share a little about what keeps me inspired about Doorways mission. I started in the field of domestic violence as a crisis hotline counselor and support group leader over 20 years ago in Arlington. Every week I talked to women who were traumatized by their abusers; terrified for their lives and for the lives of their children. These women were frightened to stay, and frightened to leave.

One day, after one of those support group meetings, I got the news that Jenny, a young gal in our group—just barely 21—was stabbed to death by her abusive boyfriend, who then killed himself. She was young, innocent and her kind face stays with me today. I draw strength and inspiration from her bravery and the courage of all the women like her who fight just to survive.

During this time, I personally helped several women leave abusive relationships – many were women in my everyday circles of friends and co-workers. I saw first-hand not only their fear and courage, but also what it was like for someone to lose their “home” and need to start over again.

So in 2003, when I was given the opportunity to lead Doorways, it was easy for me to embrace its compelling mission of not only ending domestic and intimate partner violence, but also ending family homelessness.

Although these two causes share quite a bit in common, such as the loss of “home” and sense of safety, the pathways the women and families have taken to get to our “doors” are each.

Striving for the best possible service for these women and families by way of leading Doorways is my way of continuing to honor Jenny and the many, many others who have so inspired my life with their journeys.

Greetings! Welcome to Beyond the Doorway and to Doorway’s first Blog entry! So why, you might inquire, is Doorways launching a blog?

There’s already a website, a Facebook fan page and a Twitter account to announce program updates, events, needs, etc.  However, what a blog allows us to offer to our community of supporters is a more personal voice and insight that is distinctive to a Blog forum. “Candid” talk about why and how our mission plays out from not only an observational stance but a thought provoking one as well. Staff guest bloggers and I will offer more a personal discussion about the challenges of operating a community nonprofit as well as thought leadership on critical issues that go well beyond Arlington, but still significantly impacting our community.

In the next few blogs I’ll keep you informed about a vital campaign to save our shelters …and why we are launching our bold new Brighter Future’s endeavor. Later, our staff bloggers will cover topics ranging from sharing aspects of the inner workings of our services… to sharing personal portrayals of a client’s journey out of homelessness or intimate violence.

So please subscribe and accept my personal invitation into our inner world here at Doorways. I know it will deepen your understanding and curiosity, and your appreciation of why it is so vital for all of us to be part of this mission.   And, most importantly, I want to hear back from you! I want to provide an opportunity for open discussion and sharing of ideas around these important issues.