Beyond the Blueprint Foundation

Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence Through Design

At Beyond the Blueprint Foundation (BTB), we believe that healing is more than just leaving the past behind—it’s about stepping into a future that feels safe, stable, and filled with possibility. 

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence through design. We know that for many survivors, starting over often means starting with nothing. A shelter room with bare walls. An unfamiliar space that feels temporary. A difficult transition without comfort or stability.

EVERY environment impacts a survivor’s journey toward healing. A thoughtfully designed space can provide more than just physical shelter—it can create a sense of control, dignity, and renewal.

What We Do

Our programs provide tangible solutions for survivors who deserve more than just a place to stay—they deserve a space that supports their healing and independence.

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  Shelter Makeovers – Transforming shelters into welcoming, healing environments where survivors feel safe and supported as they rebuild their lives.
  


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  Moving It Forward – Helping survivors transition into permanent housing by furnishing and designing their spaces with the essentials they need to start fresh.
  


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  DIY – Providing hands-on workshops where survivors learn how to design, repair, and personalize their spaces, gaining skills that foster independence and self-sufficiency.
  


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  Educate to Empower – Teaching survivors how their surroundings impact mental health and well-being, equipping them with the knowledge to create stable, healing environments.
  

Our Commitment to Alexandria

Beyond the Blueprint Foundation has been deeply rooted in Alexandria since day one. Our first Shelter Makeover Project was in partnership with the City of Alexandria’s own Alexandria Community Shelter (ACS), where we reimagined spaces to bring comfort and dignity to residents. 

Most recently, we partnered with Carpenter’s Shelter to enhance their facility, ensuring that residents and the staff that served them had an environment that felt warm, functional, and supportive. Additionally, through our DIY workshops, we worked directly with survivors to teach them new skills, build confidence, and help them take ownership of their surroundings. Survivors learned to use power tools, assemble furniture, and repurpose materials—gaining practical skills that extend far beyond the workshop.

We witness survivors, many of whom had been made to feel powerless, use drills for the first time, build something with their own hands, and discover the strength they always had. These experiences weren’t just about learning skills. They were about proving to themselves that they are capable, resourceful, and in control of their futures. With the support of this community, we can continue to provide transformative spaces and meaningful programs for survivors.

Be the Reason Someone Rebuilds Their Life with Dignity

Your donation provides survivors with the foundation they need to move forward.

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  $50 provides supplies for a DIY workshop, helping survivors gain hands-on skills to personalize their spaces.


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  $100 supports an Educate to Empower session, giving survivors the knowledge to create surroundings that promote mental well-being.


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  $250 provides critical household essentials—like organizers, bedding, curtains, rugs, and lighting—to make a survivor’s new living space functional, comfortable, and dignified.


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  $500 funds a room transformation for a survivor, turning their empty space into one that fosters stability and renewal.


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  $2,500 helps furnish a communal area in a shelter, creating an environment that fosters healing and connection. 
  

Give today and be part of the blueprint for a brighter future.

P.S. 100% of donations will go directly toward our Moving It Forward, Shelter Makeover, DIY, and Educate to Empower programs—so every dollar counts. Don’t forget that sharing this campaign with friends, family, and colleagues expands our impact—spread the word and help us reach more survivors.