Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc. (Bethany House) is a non-profit, faith-based organization that seeks to eliminate domestic violence one family at a time. We serve women and children who have survived family and intimate partner violence. Bethany House provides housing and support to women and children through our Family Assistance Program.
BHNV provides women and children with the support and resources to break the cycle of abuse. This includes safe shelter, emergency services, counseling and group support services, and follow-up support.
BHNV was founded in 1979 by Doris Ward in response to the unmet needs of victims of domestic violence. Over the years, BHNV has expanded its programs to provide victims of domestic violence with comprehensive levels of emergency and long-term support.
A Volunteer Board of Directors governs Bethany House and provides financial administration, budget approval, policy direction and program evaluation.
BHNV is supported through grants, foundations, corporations, churches, individuals, the community and various fundraisers.
We employ approximately 20 staff.
We are Christian, but not affiliated with one particular denomination.
We want to reach out to women and children who are victims of domestic violence because we believe God loves them. In the Holy Bible, we see God’s heart for the poor, oppressed and needy. In Matthew 25:36 it says, “I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Our Christian faith impacts the way we serve the heart, soul and mind of each client who enters our shelter.
We primarily serve the residents of Fairfax County and DC metro area, but do accept clients throughout Virginia and the United States.
The amount of people we serve each year varies, but on average we serve more than 550 victims of domestic violence each year.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used by one individual intended to exert power and control over another individual in the context of an intimate or family relationship.
The Family Assistance Program was started to meet the needs of our clients. Bethany House provides safe housing and emergency support services for 4 to 6 months. Emergency services include the provision of food, clothing and counseling. Bethany House also helps equip clients for independent living through guiding client goal setting, attending life-skills training, and utilizing both group and individual counseling services. Follow-up services continue for two years and include educational, social and counseling opportunities.
Our helpline number is 703-658-9500; TTY: 800-828-1200.
We answer the helpline ourselves between the hours of 10am and 5pm Monday through Friday.
Volunteers are vital to our ministry and have flexibility in serving with us. Volunteers can work at Joseph’s Coat Thrift Shop, transport clients, mentor clients, provide legal accompaniment, answer hotline calls, help with clerical tasks, plan special events, assist with research, provide public relations services, and/or donate or contribute needed items or money.
Look at our website (www.bhnv.org/volunteers.html) under volunteer opportunities to find volunteer positions. For more information, you can call us at 703-658-9500.
The number of hours varies upon what volunteer position you do and how many hours you are able to commit on a regular basis.
We cannot disclose the location of our shelters due to confidentiality issues. However, if your volunteer position requires you to work in the shelters, we will disclose the information to you after you have signed a legal confidentiality agreement and completed a criminal background check.
In order for anyone to interact with our clients, they must first go through some basic training on domestic violence and confidentiality. Everyone must sign a legal confidentiality agreement, pass a criminal background check, and complete orientation before volunteering with us.
Confidentiality is vital to maintaining the safety and security of our clients. We do not want the identities, activities or locations of our clients becoming public knowledge so they can safely rebuild their lives away from their abusers.
You can choose to contribute new items to our client pantry or used items to Joseph’s Coat Thrift Shop. For a list of items to donate to the pantry, click on our contributions tab and look under the needs section. A link to our pantry list will be available for you to view.
For pantry donations, please drop them off at our office:
6121 Lincolnia Rd
Alexandria, VA 22312
You can drop off donations for Joseph’s Coat at:
3022 Annandale Rd.
Falls Church, VA 22042
Feel free to call the Joseph’s Coat manager at 703-538-6289 if you have any questions.
Yes.
It is not easy to identify abusers and victims, but here are some warning signs of domestic violence:
- Constant put-downs
- Controlling or dominant behavior
- Extreme jealousy or insecurity
- Explosive behavior
- Isolating you from family and friends
- Big mood swings
- Possessiveness
- Financial control
- Telling you what to do
- Preventing you from doing what you want to do
First, do not insist upon the victim leaving immediately. Instead, gather information about domestic violence to share with her. Listen to her, remind her that abuse is not a normal part of a relationship, and guide her in finding her strengths. Encourage her to contact a hotline or women’s center to seek advice and support.
Victims of domestic violence often return to their abusers for a variety of reasons, such as: fear, low self-esteem, death threats, ashamed to share the truth with family and friends, no financial income, lack of understanding how serious the situation is, just wanting the partner to change and without proper resources to leave. It will take a victim of domestic violence several attempts to leave her/his abuser.
Joseph’s Coat is a thrift shop owned by Bethany House. You can donate items such as clothing, linens, household goods, furniture, lamps, pictures, beds, toys, games, books, etc.
Joseph’s Coat Thrift Shop provides financial assistance and material support to our shelters and transitional housing units.
1) Families or individuals must be affected by domestic violence (protective order is not required.)
2) Must be able to work or obtain a work permit when applicable
3) All male children must be under age 12 (due to shared living spaces among women)
Bethany House can provide resources to abused men through the helpline. Currently, our shelters are reserved for women and children.
Referrals come from schools, hospitals, 30-day shelters, local and national domestic violence hotlines, social services, and churches, as well as self-referrals.
A protective order is a court civil action which requires an offender to follow requirements pending a court hearing on allegations of abuse. Orders may include no violence against the petitioner (the individual asking for the order) or any other household members, no or limited contact with the petitioner and/or any children, to immediately vacate the residence, and to remain away from the residence and the petitioner and/or other household members pending the hearing.
All funds received are used to offset costs of our Family Assistance Program (FAP). The services included in our FAP include: crisis intervention and helpline services, community outreach, intake interviews and needs assessment of clients, self-sufficiency training and resiliency skills, and trauma recovery.
Yes. Bethany House gives used cars to our clients to help them move toward self-sufficiency. Used cars must be able to pass state inspection and be in good working order. Please call the main office at 703-658-9500 to donate your used car.
vsdvalliance.org, “Defining Domestic Violence”
vsdvalliance.org, closerthanyouthink.org
thewomenscenter.org
fairfaxcounty.gov
