This October, together with our Project PEACE partners, our goal is to raise awareness on what it means to not only have a healthy relationship, but a safe one too. Please join us! Help us amplify this important message and get a conversation started by sharing content within your own networks. Here are some actions to get you started; visit our website for more!

• Share the DVAM calendar of all happenings and events throughout the month (virtual and in-person).
• Check out learning opportunities throughout the month.
• Raise awareness by providing options for safety and resources through distribution of Project PEACE's new No Wrong Door electronic resource guide.
• Wear purple in honor of Purple Thursday on October 20th and post to social media. Check out Doorways' Purple Thursday action kit for sample posts.

Join us at Rocklands from 5 to 8 p.m. on October 20th – and wear purple for Purple Thursday – for a fall pig and oyster roast benefitting Doorways! This fan-favorite, family-friendly event will take place at Rocklands' Arlington location. Event tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance; there will be no event tickets sold on-site.

What's included in your ticket price? All-you-can-eat barbequed pork, oysters, and Rocklands' signature sides, plus beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages, all for just $45 per adult! Please note that ticket purchases are not tax-deductible.

Doorways' Children's Services provide a broad range of support to children experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Children's team members work one-on-one with kids residing in Doorways' shelters and our supportive housing program. Children's staff help families access and enroll in daycare or school, access health care; and provide ongoing case management and counseling/therapy, including art and play therapy; and arrange connect kids with special activities like a recent visit from therapy dogs. Learn more below.

Art Therapy

"Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns," the American Art Therapy Association reports. "Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change." Read Juan's story to see how art therapy helps kids at Doorways.

Therapy Dogs Visit

Doorways' creative and dedicated staff help connect kids to activities in and beyond shelter as well. Recently, Doorways' Children and Family Case Manager coordinated a visit from some specially trained therapy dogs. Another Doorways staff member created a dog poster and "treats" to use in a "give-a-treat-to-the-dog" game, which also allowed kids to practice before giving a real treat to a real dog, if needed. Check out the adorable results below!

Support Children's Services

The Virginia McCaffrey Fund for Children at Doorways was founded to honor Dr. Virginia "Vee" McCaffrey to help support the Doorways' Children’' Services. Many children and young adults have witnessed or experienced significant trauma, including domestic violence and abuse, and some have endured life-long instability. With your help, the Virginia McCaffrey Fund helps provide support for the unique needs of children at Doorways.

The event is now sold out!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Check out our auction packages

Whether you want a getaway to the mountains or the beach, have fun closer to home, or pay it forward by outfitting Doorways' Family Home's Rec and Tech room for kids and teens, we have a package for you!

Thanks to our sponsors!