Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
For 44 years, Hope’s Door has empowered domestic violence victims to find safety, independence and healing. Because domestic abuse does not discriminate by gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, or financial means, neither does Hope’s Door. Serving individuals from all walks of life, Hope’s Door takes a trauma-informed approach to domestic violence and counseling. This means they attend to every survivor’s emotional and physical safety in an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, destigmatizing and not retraumatizing.
Hope’s Door provides free, comprehensive services, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy and legal assistance, all “without judgment.” Plus, as part of their mission to end domestic violence, they work with schools and local organizations across Westchester County. In 2023, they reached over 9,000 young people, teaching them to understand what a healthy relationship looks like (hint: it’s based on respect, equality and trust).
Did you know?
Hope’s Door was founded by the Junior League of Northern Westchester in 1980 and incorporated as the Northern Westchester Shelter before becoming Hope’s Door in 2009.
Runners-up (Tie): Westchester Land Trust, Bedford and Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, Mount Kisco
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
