Doorways announced today that the agency’s President and CEO, Caroline Jones, MSW, will be leaving the organization in February. Since 1978, Doorways has operated at the many intersections of homelessness, poverty, and intimate partner violence, responding to community members in crisis. Jones has led the agency for nearly a decade, and served as a key leader of Doorways’ client services for the eight years prior.
“On behalf of the board of directors and everyone at Doorways, we sincerely thank Caroline for her 17 years of service to our mission, both as the agency’s leader and as a prominent voice among local and state advocacy groups and continuums of care,” said Carmen Oviedo, Doorways’ Board President. “Caroline has done a terrific job facilitating significant growth in Doorways’ public and private community partnerships and building a strong, stable organization poised to continue strong service to the people of Arlington County.”
“I have worked with Caroline (…) shoulder to shoulder to prevent and end family and youth homelessness, and to expand services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She is an extraordinary community leader who strives to strengthen and empower vulnerable families through the services at Doorways and through strong partnerships she has built throughout the community,” said Anita Friedman, Director of Arlington County’s Department of Human Services.
The organization is a statewide leader in providing services for people in crisis. While continuing and expanding the fundamental programming that the organization has for decades provided to families experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, under Jones’ leadership Doorways has grown to include Arlington’s comprehensive 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (703-237-0881); Hospital Accompaniment Response Program; Safe Apartments to increase emergency shelter capacity and options for survivors; and the Revive Domestic & Sexual Violence Counseling Program for survivors of all ages. Today, Doorways is Arlington County’s sole domestic and sexual violence service provider, and serves more than 3,000 people each year across its programs.
“I’m honored to have served as Doorways’ leader, and I could not be more proud of all we together achieved,” said Jones, who points to her work with clients as her greatest source of learning and continuous inspiration. Looking forward, “I am excited about what the future holds for Doorways,” Jones shared. “This organization’s response is more critical than ever. I will forever be a donor, advocate and ally to this amazing agency that has inspired and taught me more than words could ever capture.”
“Caroline has galvanized community support and investment in Doorways’ innovative and impactful programming,” said Christy Cole, Chair of Doorways’ Emeritus Board. “Thanks to her leadership and the robust foundation built during her tenure, Doorways is poised to grow even stronger in the years to come.”
“We look forward to the next chapter in Doorways’ service to the community and wish Caroline well in her next role serving Arlington as she joins our long-time community partner, APAH, as Director of Resident Services,” Oviedo said.