Posts Tagged ‘Volunteers’

A July 4th Celebration at the Safehouse

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

By Tani T. Lublin

It was a perfect evening; nothing went according to my plan.

The children's playroom in the Safehouse.

When I arrived at the Safehouse (with my bag full of tricks), I hinted that we would be having a backyard parade and a 4th of July birthday celebration.  The two sisters were excited about having a party and immediately began pulling the streamers and ribbons and star garlands out of my bag and set about decorating the living room and dining table with red, white & blue placemats, and hand-made “Happy 4thof July” banners.  The two girls decorated the party hats with curly red ribbon and wanted to create a “surprise” atmosphere for when the other four children arrived.   Once everyone arrived we all piled outside to play.  One girl handed out American flags to everyone along with a ribbon tied Declaration of Independence scroll.  We all decorated the back yard with blue crepe paper in the chain fence, tied paper streamers around the tree and its branches, wrapped the stair railings and one child decorated the sum of the patio furniture, while others wrapped scooters and bikes.  It was non-stop activity.   While I had hoped to talk about the 4th of July, a bit of history, and actually have a parade – the plan evaporated.  I was totally in their moment.

Time for cupcakes!  I asked one of the children if she would pass out cupcakes to everyone.  Even a couple of the Moms joined in sharing the fun with their kids.  One girl ended up with frosting all over her sweet face. The special moments of life are usually not the ones you expect them to be; they just happen all by themselves.  In that twilight space, as the sun bowed and well before the first star appeared in the night sky, the children spotted fireflies – the first of the summer.  Some of the children had never seen a firefly and, of course, we were all enchanted.  I told them they were special insects and magical little creatures to be treated gently.  For about 20-30 minutes, as the group ran and searched for and caught fireflies, I was witness to excitement and discovery, the sound of children’s laughter and chirping crickets, and the soft glow of an early summer night.  Perfect.

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My Resolution to Get Involved

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

by: Claire Lazarus, Doorways Volunteer

This time last year, I resolved to volunteer. I didn’t know which cause I would support, or what form my contribution would take, I just knew that it was time to start ‘giving back’.

Overwhelmed by the multitude of volunteer opportunities available, I narrowed my search with the following principles:

  • My free time is precious, so I wanted an organization that would put it to good use
  • Good intentions aren’t enough in isolation; there had to be a proven track record of success
  • And I didn’t want to be treated as free labor. I was looking for an organization that supported its volunteers and made them feel part of the team.

These criteria led me to Doorways, and by the time spring was upon us, I had successfully completed their comprehensive training program and was looking forward to my first shift.

From the moment I first clicked on the Doorways’ website, I have been impressed with the organization’s professionalism, the dedication and experience of its staff, and the fabulous care and support they provide their volunteers.  Doorways not only met my selection criteria, they surpassed it, and have continued to do so ever since.

As the year started to come to a close, once again I got to thinking about resolutions and goodwill, and realized that by offering to volunteer on Christmas Day (something I’ve been meaning to do for the past five years), I could successfully achieve both.

And as I left my shift that day, I realized that not only had I achieved a personal resolution (a first for me!), I had also played a part in helping others get a little closer to realizing theirs and, in so doing, had gained a better sense of what “goodwill to all (wo)men” is really about.  But resolutions don’t have to wait for the start of a New Year, you can start them any time and you too may come to surprise yourself by keeping it.

I have found that whatever I give Doorways through my volunteering, they give as much back to me in a sense of fulfillment and personal reward. It’s an equal and healthy relationship, just as any good volunteering partnership should be.

Find out some easy ways to get involved in supporting the women and families of our community.

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Happy Holidays

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010







As the year 2010 very quickly comes to a close, we on Doorways Development Team would like to share our festive spirit, set to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas:

On the first day at Doorways, Client Staff said we need…

12 grocery Store Gift Cards

11 sets of pillows

10 brand new blankets

9 sets of bedsheets

8 boxes of pull-ups

7 bottles of detergent

6 rolls of paper towels

5 NEW VOLUNTEERS

4 Metrocards

3 boxes of sanitary napkins

2 baby monitors

And 1 newly renovated Safehouse!

Happy Holidays to all of our clients, neighbors and especially our donors for helping us fulfill so many of these wishes!

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Male Role Models Make a Difference for Children in Shelter

Monday, November 1st, 2010

It is important to teach children from a young age, both male and female, that hitting is not acceptable in any type of relationship and that all people have a right to feel safe.  Throughout my time spent as the Children’s Services Counselor, I noticed many trends while working with and observing the children living in the Family Home.  Many children residing in the Family Home come from backgrounds where intimate partner violence (IPV)* was prevalent in their household.  Another trend I saw was fathers making empty promises to spend time with their children, affecting a child’s ability to trust.

Working in an organization that is comprised mostly of females, it appears as if intimate partner violence is only a female issue. In contrary, intimate partner violence is everyone’s issue, and more males need to take a stance against IPV.  I take this stand by working with children in shelter to overcome their trust issues and begin the healing process. 

Although children can benefit from being away from an abuser and can begin their healing process, children who are away from a father or male figure still experience a lot of loss and attachment issues.

Research shows that children of all ages can benefit in many ways from having a positive male role model.  The children residing at Doorways love to talk about their lives, have imaginary play time, do arts and crafts activities, be read to, play outside, and play sports.  Any of the children would be thrilled if some kind- hearted male role models were willing to spend some time with them, exploring their interests.  I encourage you to think about how you can help families in this situation. There are opportunities for us all.

Drew Borkovitz, Children Services Counselor

 *Intimate partner violence is a more inclusive term to describe relationships that are unhealthy and violent.  It includes domestic and dating violence.

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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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Volunteers Light Up My Night

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Doorways Recent Volunteer Training Class

For some people, the highlight of their month is pay day, date night or Coconut Cream frozen custard day at the Dairy Godmother.  For me, the highlight is Doorways’ Volunteer Information Night.  I know that sounds farfetched (especially if you’ve ever tasted the Coconut Cream frozen custard at the Dairy Godmother!)–but believe me, it’s true.  I can think of nothing better than being surrounded by people who believe in their power to make their community better, safer and more just.

The information session attendees have the same demanding jobs, the same family commitments and the same 24 hours-a-day as the rest of us.  But despite all that, they step up and volunteer their precious time to help neighbors they have never even met.  It is a great night because I know that for many of them it is just the beginning of a long-term volunteer relationship with Doorways. 

They will become the volunteers who answer the hotline at the Safehouse, go grocery shopping for the Family Home and provide childcare for the kids while their parents attend important meetings at the shelters.  These potential volunteers know that the fight against family homelessness and intimate partner violence can’t wait until their job slows down or their kids grow up.  They know we have to start today.  Won’t you join us?

Doorways’ Volunteer Information Session is the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.  If you would like to join me, please RSVP sschonenberger@doorwaysva.org or 703-522-8858 x 33.

~Simone Schonenberger, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator

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Countering Media Messages: A New Conversation for Parents

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

People Magazine: 05/24/10

A couple of weeks ago my son found the People Magazine cover story about the death of Yeardley Love on the hall table. He read the article about her murder and he had lots of questions.  I explained the tragedy in the most developmentally appropriate terms I could muster.

He nodded along with my explanation, asked a few questions, and then was quiet for a moment. Finally, what I thought was a look of understanding came over his face and he said solemnly “Wow, he must have really loved her a lot”.

 I was dumbstruck that my sweet child would somehow associate love with an act of such brutality. I’ve talked to him about drugs, peer pressure, strangers and more, but I never really thought I’d need to have such a frank discussion with him about this issue.  I guess I believed that because he is being raised in a loving, non-violent family, somehow he would just “know”. We went on to have a long conversation about why love and violence have nothing to do with one another.  

My 11 year old son and his friends are on the cusp of adolescence. They are just beginning to explore who they are in the context of “romantic” relationships. They ask each other “Who do you like?” or “Who is your girlfriend?” They tease each other, gently still, with “Oh! You have a crush on her” and “I think she likes you”.

 They don’t go on dates yet.  In their world, a girlfriend is just a girl you hang out with at recess sometimes. Why would I talk to him about dating now?

 Take it from me. Do  NOT to assume that your child is too young – or doesn’t need- to talk about healthy relationships and teen dating violence.

~Alison Senold, Doorways Volunteer

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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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