School may have just let out, but here at Doorways we’re already gearing up for the 2025-2026 school year! From our Kindergarteners to our High School Seniors, we need your help to ensure every child in our shelter and housing programs will have what they need to start their next school year off right. 

Community sponsors have made a huge impact in the lives of our youngest clients. Thanks to the generosity of donors last year, we were able to provide backpacks and supplies for all of the nearly 200 children at Doorways!  

This year we hope to have your support! For each child, we need the following new, high-quality items:

• Backpack
• Lunch box
• Water bottle
• Umbrella
• $100 VISA gift card

We ask for gift cards to empower our families with the opportunity to shop for their own back-to-school clothes and grade-specific supplies. 

If you would like to help kids at Doorways this year, please sign up through our Back-to-School Sponsor form.

After signing up, you will receive an email introducing you to your matched child or children sharing their preferences, like favorite colors and characters, as well as details on the donation drop-off process. We kindly ask that backpacks be delivered to Doorways between August 8th – August 11th to ensure they reach our kiddos ahead of their first day. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Stewart, Community Relations and Development Specialist, at 703-504-9271 or [email protected]. Thank you!

Backyard Bluegrass Benefit Concert

Friday, July 25th, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

The founders of the Virginia McCaffrey Fund for Children at Doorways invite you to attend a Backyard Bluegrass Benefit Concert on July 25th featuring the Minor Hill Hounds! Light fare and a selection of wine, beer, and soft drinks will be provided. All proceeds will be donated to the fund to support children at Doorways. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets now!

Arlington Turkey Trot Thursday, November 27th

Doorways is grateful to be a beneficiary of the 2025 Arlington Turkey Trot! Save the date to join us at the event on Thanksgiving morning. Registration opens on September 1st!

What I Learned Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence

“Did you know that the most lethal time for a person in an abusive relationship is when they are attempting to leave or after they have left? I didn’t.”

Plus: “Here are four proactive things you can do to help create more safety for those in abusive relationships as well as for your whole community.”

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance Joins Nationwide Coalition Challenging Federal Administration’s Attempt to Hold Violence Against Women Grants

“These new grant certifications would not only require victim service providers to directly violate federal law, but they also demand that providers withhold vital services from community members who are at greater risk of experiencing violence,” said Kristi VanAudenhove, executive director of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance.

“Holding this field’s already very limited funding hostage is unconscionable, and it undermines the fundamental right of all survivors to access safety, justice and healing in the aftermath of violence.”

‘It Sounds Really Dire Because It Is Really Dire’

“Much of the federal infrastructure that supports domestic violence programs is damaged or gone. The director of the Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services was placed on administrative leave this spring. One domestic violence advocate told me her organization has gone through four points of contact at the Department of Justice since February. 

This chaos is happening throughout the country and is largely out of public view.”