Email from Doorways Thank you for making this season magical at Doorways! Make your year-end gift today, and it will be matched, dollar for dollar, to double your support! Donate Now Holiday Cheer at Doorways Thank You to Our Donors and Partners for Making the Season Magical! We are so grateful to everyone who has helped make this holiday season magical for everyone at Doorways! Here are just some of the examples of holiday cheer delivered to Doorways by our amazing community: A special group of generous donors led by Judy and Kevin Moak are matching every donation made through the end of the year, dollar for dollar, up to $75,000 total, so donate now to double your support! Our Winter Wishes sponsors donated a gift and a $100 gift card for all 170 clients on our list this year, and our amazing volunteers helped process and prepare all of the gifts for delivery to their recipients The Arlington-VA Chapter of the Links, Inc. granted Doorways $5,000 to translate and print a bilingual version of our children's book, We Are Doorways The Arlington County Police Department donated boxes of toys and clothes for our clients following their successful Fill the Cruiser Toy Drive The Teal Center provided free chair massages for our staff at our offices Lady Octopus Tattoo hosted a flash fundraiser and raised more than $3,000 St. Mary's Episcopal Church donated Thanksgiving bags for families at Doorways, welcomed our staff to their Advent Mart to raise funds and awareness, and donated $750 in gift cards for our clients The Arlington County HR Department donated toys for kids at Doorways The Arlington Church of the Brethren collected more than $600 in gift cards And so many more. Thank you all! Navigating Conversations About Abuse this Holiday Season As we gather with loved ones, friends, neighbors, and colleagues this season, topics related to domestic and sexual violence may come up. Especially if you're not sure how to handle those conversations, we encourage you to read through the following resources. From talking with children to empower them with age-appropriate tools related to body boundaries and consent, to talking with fellow adults about the issues, to offering support to survivors of abuse, these resources can help prepare you to have informed conversations throughout and beyond the holiday season. Kids' Books About Body Boundaries and Consent "Holiday season can mean big family gatherings and holiday parties," writes Maya Lê of MaiStoryBook, "and during these festive events, it’s typical for adults and others to want to share affection with each other and the little people in their lives." "However, not all littles are comfortable with hugs - or any physical contact - from people they aren't too familiar with, or even from people who they do know well. If this is the case, littles should be encouraged to advocate for their preference and set their own body boundaries." See Book List 10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence "1. NEVER victim blame. Abuse is never the victim's fault. As a society, we continue to place blame on victims by asking, 'What did she do to deserve that?' or, 'What was she wearing?' or, 'Why was she there?' or, 'Why couldn't she just keep her knees together?' Yet, we do not ask these questions to victims of other crimes. We must stop asking these questions of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors." Read More Helping Others: Tips for Family, Friends, and Coworkers "As a friend, family member or co-worker of someone who is being abused, there are many things you can do to prepare yourself to offer supportive and empowering assistance." See Tips Supporting Survivors during the Holiday Season "Friends and family members who are worried about a loved one can create a safe space by speaking with the person one-on-one, expressing care, listening without judgment, and letting them know that help is available when they are ready. It can help survivors to feel connected to loved ones and to know that those people will continue to support them no matter what." Read More In the News Amid all the crisis talks and prevention efforts, 2024 has been a horror year for violence against women "As 2024 comes to a close and we wind our way through December, a time of year when domestic and family violence rates traditionally escalates, we will no doubt add to these numbers. It’s no understatement to say that 2024 has been a horror year in terms of femicide." "So, as we approach the end of this horror year, a year that has been draining and soul-destroying for so many, I just want to pause and also urge us to 'bear witness' to the dogged determination of frontline workers, survivor advocates, academics and so many others. They keep showing up – again and again. In all the big moments and all the little moments in between." "Will 2024 go down in the history books as the year we turned a corner? Only if, to once again use the words of Armitage, we don't look away, and act. And only if we follow the lead of the many who have always lived by those words." Read More Actress Bellamy Young: Domestic abuse can happen at any age. My mom was in her 80s "If you are suffering in a similar situation, whether you're 23 or 83, please reach out for help. Domestic violence doesn't discriminate based on age — and the holidays are traditionally the most dangerous time of year for those being abused. A lot of people love you far more than the person who is hurting you right now. You deserve help and you deserve to be safe." Read More "You deserve help and you deserve to be safe." Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Doorways | P.O. Box 100185 | Arlington, VA 22210 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice