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News Releases:
URBAN COWBOY RIDES FROM MAINE TO FLORIDA
TO RAISE MONEY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Doorways for Women and Families, Washington, DC Based Shelter, To Benefit from Journey
Arlington, Va. – Mr. Morris, better known as the “Metropolitan Cowboy,” has a simple motto – “Dare to be Different.” And that is exactly what Morris, an African American cowboy, is doing.
Morris is riding 1,641 miles on horseback from Portland, Maine to Jacksonville, Fla. for the first time in the “Saddle Up 4 Good Horse” Ride to help raise $50,000 for Doorways for Women and Families, a shelter that aids victims of domestic violence and their families. The Saddle Up 4 Good Horse Ride will also benefit the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Scholarship Fund, which supports causes pertaining to youth outreach and prison reform. To learn more about the ride, visit www.saddleupforgood.com.
Morris and Ray Charles Lockamy, who is completing the trail ride with Morris, are both DC metropolitan area horsemen who are determined to complete the ride in order to put a stop to domestic violence. The cause is dear to Morris’ heart; his mother was a victim of domestic violence.
“My mother had to change her identity and move in order to escape the abuse,” says Morris. “No woman is immune to the risk of being abused; and no one should have to endure it. We must raise awareness of one of the greatest stains on our society.”
Supporters can keep track of the riders’ location using GPS technology, contact them via e-mail, or make a donation to the cause using www.saddleupforgood.com. A $1 donation will also give you membership to the cause, and keep the horses fed during the journey.
“Every nine seconds in the United States, a woman is beaten; yet there are only 1,500 shelters for battered women,” says Linda Dunphy, Executive Director of Doorways for Women and Families. “Fifty percent of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence. Ninety five percent of these domestic violence victims are women. Domestic violence equally affects people of African, European, Hispanic, or Asian origins, who are rich or poor, college graduates or high school dropouts.”
Morris is the founder and former President of the Rough Riders and East Coast Rough Riders horse clubs located in Prince George's County Md. He is also the Area Coordinator for the Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo, which comes to the Greater Washington, DC metro area annually in September.
To learn more about Doorways for Women and Families, visit www.doorwaysva.org. To learn more about Morris, visit www.dmvcowboy.com.
ABOUT DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES
For almost 30 years, Doorways for Women and Families, (formerly The Arlington Temporary Shelter or TACTS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers women and families who are abused, homeless or at-risk to live safe, secure and self-sufficient lives, has provided shelter and services and educated the larger community about violence and homelessness. Doorways is the 2006 recipient of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award (ABBIE) in the nonprofit category. Doorways was selected as a featured charity in the 2005 issue of The Catalogue of Philanthropy, and s the winner of the 2006 Arlington County’s Community Hero Award for Volunteers. Doorways is also the 2006 recipient of the James B. Hunter Community Hero Award and the 2005 James B. Hunter Human Rights Award. Doorways is the 2006-2008 nonprofit pro-bono c
DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES RECEIVES
HIGHEST RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Arlington, Va. (May 19, 2008) – Doorways for Women and Families proudly announced this week that it has been awarded the highest rating from Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator. Doorways, soon to be celebrating its 30th year of community service in Arlington, Virginia, received the coveted 4-star rating.
“Charity Navigator’s rating indicates that Doorways for Women and Families is out-performing the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to responsible financial management,” says Linda Dunphy, Executive Director of Doorways. “Savvy donors are looking for more accountability, transparency and productive results from charities they choose to support, and Doorways is exceeding industry standards.”
The 4-star rating from Charity Navigator designates Doorways as outperforming most charities who advocate for victims of domestic violence and homelessness. The ratings are on a scale from zero to 4 stars with 4 stars being the highest. The exceptional designation demonstrates publicly that Doorways is a trusted, valuable consideration for charitable investments, particularly given the high reliance on private giving, which accounts for 60 percent of Doorways’ annual budget.
Of the more than 5,000 charities across the United States evaluated by Charity Navigator, approximately 1,500 have 4-star ratings. There are just 77 in Virginia with the highest designation like that of Doorways. Donors can be confident that in supporting those charities rated highly by Charity Navigator; they will be supporting organizations that are fiscally responsible and financially healthy.
ABOUT DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES
For almost 30 years, Doorways for Women and Families, (formerly The Arlington Temporary Shelter or TACTS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers women and families who are abused, homeless or at-risk to live safe, secure and self-sufficient lives, has provided shelter and services and educated the larger community about violence and homelessness. Doorways is the 2006 recipient of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Best Business Award (ABBIE) in the nonprofit category. Doorways was selected as a featured charity in the 2005 issue of The Catalogue of Philanthropy, and s the winner of the 2006 Arlington County’s Community Hero Award for Volunteers. Doorways is also the 2006 recipient of the James B. Hunter Community Hero Award and the 2005 James B. Hunter Human Rights Award. Doorways is the 2006-2008 nonprofit pro-bono client for Washington Women in PR (WWPR).
About Charity Navigator
Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator has become the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Its team of professional analysts has examined tens of thousands of non-profit financial documents to develop an unbiased, objective, numbers-based rating system that assesses health of over 5,000 of America’s best-known charities. Last year alone, more than four million donors used Charity Navigator’s web site that TIME Magazine called “One of America’s 50 Coolest Websites for 2006.” The site is a two-time Forbes award winner for “Best of the Web,” and was selected by Reader’s Digest as one of the “100 Best Things about America.” In 2007, Business Week inducted Charity Navigator into its “Philanthropy Hall of Fame” for “revolutionizing the process of giving.” Many of Charity Navigator’s leaders have provided expert analysis on the charitable sector CNN and Fox news programs, and each of the network morning shows—NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, and CBS’s The Early Show. Analysts have also been quoted in nearly every major U.S. newspaper or weekly magazine. Charity Navigator is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization and can be found on the Web at www.charitynavigator.org.
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Doorways for Women and Families Launches Mother’s Day Card Campaign
to Help Homeless Women, Families and Children Build a Bright Future
The Third Annual Campaign Raises Funds to
Benefit Homeless and Abused Women and their Families
Arlington, VA — There are many women that you admire and from whom you draw inspiration — mothers, aunts, sisters, friends or others. Doorways for Women and Families, the only shelter for victims of domestic violence and homeless women and families, is offering a unique way to honor the special women in your life this Mother’s Day through its greeting card campaign. For each purchase, a specially inscribed card will be sent to the woman you hold in high regard and one hundred percent of the proceeds from the purchase will benefit programs and services for women, children and families experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.
WHO: Each contribution for a Mother’s Day card will increase the revenue needed for shelter, support groups
and educational services to help guide women and families to self-sufficiency.
“Each day, we are inspired by the courage that it takes for women to leave abusive or difficult situations and who are courageous enough to tell their personal stories,” said Linda Dunphy, Executive Director for Doorways for Women and Families. “The Mother’s Day card campaign is a way to distinctively honor these courageous women while paying tribute to a significant woman in your life.”
WHAT: For a minimum of $15 per card, Doorways will send a personalized greeting to the women you choose to
honor. Orders can be completed online or checks can be sent to Doorways for Women and Families.
WHERE: Visit www.doorwaysva.org or call (703) 522-8858, ext. 14 to order your card today.
WHEN: All orders must be postmarked by Monday, April 28, 2008.
CONTACT:
Rachel Henderson, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (570) 259-2205
E-mail. Henderson.rachela@gmail.com
Patricia Pincus, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (703) 786-6053
E-mail. PincusPatricia@gmail.com
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DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES AND MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
PARTNER FOR THE RED FLAG CAMPAIGN
Doorways Joins Marymount to Prevent Dating Violence on College Campuses
Arlington, Va. (April 7, 2008) - Research indicates that in 21 percent of college dating relationships, one partner is being abused. That is one in five relationships. Who is likely to witness this type of abuse? The answer could be one of your closest friends.
During the week of April 7, Marymount University in collaboration with Doorways for Women and Families will participate in a week-long effort, “Healthy Relationships Week,” aimed at stopping dating violence on college campuses in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). Both groups will be increasing awareness about The Red Flag Campaign, a statewide initiative to help students identify “red flags” for dating violence in their friends’ relationships.
College students are at an extremely high risk of either acting as the perpetrator or being a victim of physical or sexual violence while dating or in a relationship. Through a series of posters that illustrate relationship violence, the campaign will give students the necessary resources to speak up when they identify red flags for dating violence occurring in their friends’ relationships.
“Friends have an influential role in intervening in dating violence not only with the victim, but also with the abusive partner,” says Linda Dunphy, Executive Director of Doorways for Women and Families. “Doorways is working with Marymount to provide students with resources and information so they can harness their power to change the cultural tolerance of violence in relationships.”
Marymount University was chosen to be one of eighteen colleges and universities statewide to participate in the campaign. Throughout the week, informational tables will be set up from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Students will also be participating in the Handprint Project as well as the Clothesline Project to learn about dating violence.
There are many red flags that indicate dating violence is occurring in relationships. Name-calling, excessive jealousy, blaming, isolation, and physical and/or sexual abuse are all indicators of violence. Many times, these behaviors are subtle and/or kept hidden away from friends or family. But over time these behaviors become increasingly dangerous and noticeable.
“Peer groups have the ability to provide safety and support and can also dictate what behaviors are unacceptable,” continues Dunphy.
The Red Flag Campaign is a project of the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and is generously supported with funding from the Verizon Foundation. For more information on what constitutes dating violence, how to help, or how to get help for a friend, visit www.TheRedFlagCampaign.org.
For more information about The Red Flag Campaign, contact Candice Lopez, Community Resources Manager, at clopez@doorwaysva.org.
CONTACT:
Rachel Henderson, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (570) 259-2205
E-mail. Henderson.rachela@gmail.com
Patricia Pincus, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (703) 786-6053
E-mail. PincusPatricia@gmail.com
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Doorways’ for Women and Families Provides “Keys to the Future”
18th Annual Benefit Auction Draws Awareness to
Arlington’s Women and Families in Need
Arlington, VA (March 27, 2008) —Doorways for Women and Families, Arlington’s only shelter for homeless and abused women and their families, is hosting its 18th Annual Benefit Auction on Sunday, April 6th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel.
As part of this year’s “Keys to the Future” theme, every guest will receive a key and one lucky person will win a wonderful prize.
The benefit features an afternoon tea and silent auction. It also includes a short program emceed by Maureen Bunyan, ABC-7 News, with an address from Executive Director, Linda Dunphy, client stories and a live auction, run by local auctioneer, Sherry Truhlar, one of only six auctioneers in the United States. The silent auction features over 100 items from local retailers and organizations and all funds raised will help support the services that Doorways offers to women and their families in the community.
Some of the auction items include:
- Lunch with Tony Snow
- 42” Plasma TV (donated by Costco)
- Weekend use of a 2008 Jaguar from Rosenthal Jaguar
- Four seats to a 2008 Washington Nationals home game in the Beers & Cutler Lincoln suite
- Winery Tour for 10 to Basignani Winery
- Four Viewing Passes for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade - November 27, 2008
When: Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel
801 N. Glebe Street
RSVP: For more information about Doorways for Women and Families, or to purchase tickets to attend, visit: http://www.doorwaysva.org.
CONTACT:
Rachel Henderson, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (570) 259-2205
E-mail. Henderson.rachela@gmail.com
Patricia Pincus, Pro-bono media liaison
Tel. (703) 786-6053
E-mail. PincusPatricia@gmail.com
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