Posts Tagged ‘Testimonials’

For the Benefit of Adele

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

It took thirty years to push Adele to the breaking point.  Adele could finally see the end of her tumultuous, thirty-year marriage to Rodrigo and asked for a protective order against him.  She arrived at the Court House with Maria, her adult daughter.  After a long discourse, both Adele and Maria detailed the emotional and physical abuse, which had escalated to Adele leaving Rodrigo and moving in with Maria the week before.

Adele wanted to open up and share many of the details about the abuse, but she hesitated.  How could explain it all in front of her daughter?   Doorways’ Court Advocate was there to help her through this difficult process.  In private to the Advocate, Adele described the decades of abusive and controlling behavior.  Most recently, Rodrigo had become physically violent after Adele was late to pick him up from the airport.  That was the breaking point for her, and Adele moved in with Maria and her grandchildren.

Adele struggled to recount her abuse, but after sharing her story, the Court Advocate explained that she was eligible for a Preliminary Protective Order, described other legal actions, and dedicated her time to securing safety for Adele’s future.  After sharing her story, the Court granted Adele a Protective Order, and allowed her to look forward to a life of peace.  Adele has done well at a new job and is now living happily and safely, growing closer to her children and grandchildren every day.

Doorways’ Court Advocate made a commitment to Adele when she arrived at the Courthouse to provide her with guidance and help her to achieve the protection she deserved.  Please join us at Doorways’ Annual Spring Benefit to make your commitment and to offer your encouragement to the future strength of Doorways’ services and the safety of Adele and other women like her.

Benefit Adele by attending Doorways’ Spring Benefit.

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For the Benefit of Brenda

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Away from the abuse she and her children had endured, Brenda needed a job to support her transition to permanent housing.  After finding an apartment through Doorways’ HomeStart Program, she went to interview after interview.  Despite having marketable work experience and a good education, no job offers were coming her way.  Unfortunately, in addition to her resume Brenda would go into each interview with the haunting voice of her husband in her head.  Phrases like, “stupid,” “idiot,” and “no one in their right mind would ever hire you,” would constantly pulse through her mind.  As a result, each interview would end with Brenda breaking down or becoming agitated.

Fortunately, Brenda benefited from Doorways’ wraparound services. She received counseling and intensive job training to rebuild her self-esteem.  Brenda’s confidence grew so much that by the time of her graduation from our program, she led the entire graduation ceremony which was attended by hundreds of people.

Now, Brenda is the one giving.  She works in her community helping those facing similar challenges.  While the hateful words are not forgotten, Brenda has found new words to describe herself.  She is dedicated, self-sufficient and, most importantly, a proud mother of three children.

Benefit women like Brenda by coming to Doorways’ Spring Benefit.

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“Hello Susan. We have a problem.”

Monday, December 6th, 2010
Who do you call when you have a leak in a bathroom faucet, a broken lock, a clogged toilet, dishwasher not draining, microwave not heating, light fixture not working, or an ant parade along the baseboard.  When this happens at a Doorways shelter, they call me. 

As Facilities Manager for Doorways, it is my job to maintain our two major properties (the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home and the Safehouse).  This includes the infrastructure of each home, all interior furnishings and equipment, as well as the yards.

Both facilities get heavy use – the average length stay for our clients is approximately four months, and given that our Family Home has 12 bedrooms for 21 residents and the Safehouse accommodates 11 people, the majority of whom are children, with Doorways staff working around the clock at both locations, the above problems are nothing unusual.

I feel tremendous pride in keeping our homes safe, secure, and well-maintained.  I enjoy knowing that my work contributes to the quality of life and a pleasant living experience for all of our clients, for many of whom this could be the first warm, nurturing home they have had. 

~Susan Hennessy, MPA, Doorways Facilities Manager

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He said if I loved him, I’d have sex with him

Monday, October 18th, 2010

This coercion poster in the Red Flag Campaign series has stuck with me since the first time I saw it, 3 years ago.

I skipped class that day. It was something about that poster and its message that made me realize I had some thinking to do.

Fast-forward to August 2010, in the middle of a stressful internship hunt, I found an opening at Doorways for a Red Flag Campaign intern. I jumped at the opportunity. I did not think about resume building, networking, or even money. I would have taken the internship for free! I wanted to become a part of something that helped change my life and give back to an organization that opened my eyes to see just how valuable I am.

I can only hope while I am interning that someone else gets the wakeup call I did. I think about this for every flag and poster I place this October. This internship is more than a job to me. Whether it is true or not, I feel like I am making a difference by just being involved. I do not think I could have gotten as much satisfaction from a different internship as I do this one.

I know that I am not the only woman in the world that has been in an unhealthy relationship and was blind to the fact. I know a lot of students, men and women, do not know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The Red Flag Campaign that Doorways promotes won’t make dating violence disappear tomorrow but I know it is a start and I have true faith that one day we will live in a world full of more love then violence.

~Christina Womack, Doorways Red Flag Campaign Intern

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It’s not to annoy you, social media helps families

Monday, September 27th, 2010

22 minutes on Facebook to meet a need for a family in shelter…

On Tuesday, September 14th I received a request from our Family Home.  A family in shelter needed a car booster seat ASAP.  I posted it on Facebook on 10:24am and at 10:46am I received this email:

“I saw your message on Facebook.  We have a barely used booster seat (just bought in January after I totaled my car) that I’d be happy to donate.”

BINGO. One safe child.  And this isn’t a fluke. For the past year and a half we have been encouraging our supporters, neighbors, and volunteers to join our online social network by being our Fan on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or subscribing to our blog “Beyond the Doorway“.

In the past year, through Facebook and Twitter, we have met dozens of needs within hours and raised over $4,500 in in-kind items through our Amazon registry; solely promoted online!  It is also a terrific way for us to keep you informed about Doorways work.

We need to expand our networks to others who care about our work. Will you ask a friend to be Fan of Doorways or to follow us on Twitter?

~Candice Lopez, Education and Outreach Director

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The chance to be part of a difference

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

Children services counselor with children at the Family Home.

At Doorways, I step out of the humdrum office realm into a world of colorful chaos that keeps me on my toes and reminds me that life can be fun and futures can be bright.  It’s easy to forget the reality of life beyond routine when you spend your days chained to a desk, motivated solely by deadlines and subjected to morning-old coffee.  This is precisely why I volunteer with Doorways: for a healthy dose of reality and a good reminder that life is out there waiting.  Sans aforementioned coffee, my full-time job is a fine job; but it doesn’t allow for much passion, energy, excitement or fun.  Rare are the days when I feel I’ve made a difference in one life, let alone in the world.  Doorways – a place where I am never just a volunteer – allows me to do just that. 

As a children’s volunteer, I laugh a lot, and I’m never bored.  After my weekly volunteer shift I have endless memories, along with some Play-Doh creations, to take with me for the rest of the week.  If variety is the spice of life, then these are my spices: dancing to music-making toys, running around outside and playing pretend.  But life needs something to make it sweet, too; and I can’t think of anything sweeter than a child excited to see you, a mom relieved to be given some time to herself and the chance to be part of the difference that Doorways is making.

~Leslie Brettschneider, Doorways Children’s Volunteer

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An Interns View

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Nick at Doorways.

Coming from Toledo, Ohio, it is not hard to see that this transformation into the metropolitan D.C. area is no easy step. I expected a much more distant community lifestyle, one where the people living here went to work on “the Hill” and came home to their TV’s, 2.3 children and minded their own business, other than politics. However, I found a different reality.

I have spent the last two months at Doorways as a development intern and my time is drawing to a close. I feel truly fortunate to have been paired with Doorways through The Fund for American Studies internship program. There are nearly 400 students like myself who came to Washington, D.C. this summer to take classes at Georgetown on civic associations in America and to live and intern in such associations.

Living with my fellow students in the DC metro region, I found a profoundly diverse group of people who cram into trains together and shop at farmers markets. I learned that networking at a happy hour can introduce you to a new job or connection as quickly as applying online. But even with all of the fast paced, bureaucratic hoopla an outsider expects, I was struck by the sense of community and generosity of ordinary people. At Doorways, I saw a variety of ways people give. From individuals who give donations of thousands of dollars to someone who donates one dollar a month. And not only are people giving money, but they donate something far more valuable, time.

Doorways is made up of a wonderful community full of great people. They do not just work to “save” homeless people or to offer assistance to domestic violence survivors, they work to bring together and create a community. This community unites in its passion for a just and opportunity laden home for each family they serve. As an outsider, I am impressed with Arlington and its network of caring citizens. I urge you to give whatever you can to continue your commitment to your community. Whether it is time, one dollar a month, or a thousand dollars a year, every little bit counts and more importantly, it means the world to families in need.

~ Nicholas Komives, Doorways Summer Development Intern

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In honor of Father’s: A Father’s Day Reflection

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Doorways Father's Day Card

Father’s Day is always a time when I reflect upon what I value most about my Dad and what I hope my children will value most in me.  First and foremost, my father always made me feel safe as a child.  In fact, there are still times today when he is able to reassure me in a way that nobody else can.  Perhaps this isn’t a novel concept, but certainly something I never took for granted.

Additionally, my father along with my mother taught me the duty that we all have to give back to our communities.  Now it is also my responsibility to share these lessons with my two young children so that they can get involved with some of the many important causes that need as many capable arms, legs and minds as they can possibly muster to help those less fortunate get through these extremely difficult times.

However, ever since joining the Board of Doorways in 2004, I now have another perspective on this holiday.  I think of the incredibly powerful stories I have heard from many of our clients—fathers and mothers who persevere against incredible odds to keep families together in the face of poverty and homelessness and emerge victorious in their struggle to get back to self-sufficiency.  Their stories not only motivate me to continue serving such a worthwhile cause, but inspire me to be a better father.

Happy Father’s Day to all of my fellow Dad’s.     

                                                                                    ~ Nicholas Evans, Doorways Board President

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