Local Nonprofit Benefits from 10K Grant by Dominion Foundation

Doorways for Women & Families, a nonprofit organization that provides temporary shelter for homeless families in Arlington County, was the recipient of a $10,000 grant awarded recently by the Dominion Foundation, the charitable arm of Dominion Resources. The grant from Dominion will be allocated toward operating expenses for the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home, a 21-bed shelter that is reserved for families whose homelessness could not be prevented and who cannot be quickly housed elsewhere.

Doorways for Women & Families creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable and empowered lives. According to Caroline Jones, president and CEO of Doorways for Women & Families, the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home provides food, childcare, transportation and other supportive services in a warm and caring home-like atmosphere. "We offer 24 hour staff support along with intensive therapeutic services for our residents," she said. "Our in-house services include court advocacy, financial literacy counseling, employment readiness assistance and mental health services for children, along with many other offerings."

Jones noted that the grant from Dominion will be used for a wide variety of purposes such as purchasing groceries for the residents, paying salaries of the staff and for many other uses to support the Family Home's operations. "This generous contribution from Dominion will make a huge difference in the quality of life for many vulnerable families in Arlington," she said. For more information about the organization, visit www.doorwaysva.org.

"I, along with others at Dominion, have visited the shelter operated by Doorways for Women & Families," said Deborah T. Johnson, regional policy director for Dominion. "Seeing the facility firsthand confirmed what we already knew—that these shelters are critical for the safety, well-being and development of women and their children."

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Dominion Foundation awarded $1 million through a competitive grant process to 140 nonprofit organizations in 13 states to address critical community needs, with special emphasis on programs that provide shelter, access to health care and food security in areas served by Dominion. More than 300 applications were considered with selections made based on an organization's demonstrated ability to serve communities, meet basic human needs and prevent future need.

CAPTION:
Pictured from left to right are Laura Pennycuff, grants director for Doorways for Women & Families; Miguel Buddle, corporate giving manager for Doorways for Women & Families; and Scott Reamy, external affairs manager in Dominion’s corporate public policy area.