[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMENDING DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend Doorways for 
Women and Families, Arlington County, Virginia's leading provider and 
advocate for victims of homelessness, violence and abuse, for its 
deserved honor and recognition by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement 
as the 2009 winner of the Washington Post Award for Excellence in 
Nonprofit Management. For its distinguished leadership, Doorways will 
receive a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship for one person to attend 
the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership's 
Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. That is, the 
organization's hard work and innovation will be rewarded by enhancing 
its ability to help more families at this time of great need, but also 
by assisting the organization to be more effective in managing its 
resources.
  As our country faces one its most serious economic challenges in a 
century, nonprofits will play a critical role. Consequently, 
coordination between nonprofits and the quality of nonprofit management 
will play key roles in making a difference in many, many lives. 
Therefore, this award is an important and richly deserved honor and 
acknowledgement of Doorways as a stellar example that other 
organizations could and should follow.
  With new legislation we have enacted as part of the American Recovery 
and Reinvestment Act and a new White House Office on Social Innovation, 
those nonprofits like Doorways that have dedicated themselves to 
achieve excellence in management practices will, I believe, be in the 
position to not only provide some of the best and most efficient 
services, but also to leverage new and innovative ways to serve. Our 
country and our citizens are best served by those who constantly 
rededicate themselves to finding ways and means to transform their 
services in ways that can make lasting differences and maximum 
efficiency with resources.
  For three decades, Doorways for Women and Families has empowered 
women and families who are abused, homeless, or at-risk to live safe, 
secure and self-sufficient lives. The organization has provided shelter 
and services and educated the larger community about violence and 
homelessness. Through its three core programs, including an 11-bed 
Safehouse for women and families in imminent danger; the Freddie Mac 
Foundation Family Home, which houses 21 homeless adults and children in 
a state-of-the art residential facility; and the HomeStart Supportive 
Housing Program, which offers prevention, rapid re-housing and long-
term supportive housing for families in crisis; Doorways has become a 
unique and treasured asset to our community. We are honored to have 
such special resources in our region.

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