Thank you for your support

We are so grateful to St. Hubert for partnering with WINGS and recognizing that victims of domestic violence are some of our most vulnerable neighbors.  And that those who serve our clients are in every sense of the word, first responders, although many times hidden from view.
 
Our staff and board have been working around the clock over the past 10 days to ensure that the safety of our clients remains the top priority during this crisis.  WINGS operates two safe houses – one in the northwest suburbs and one on the southwest side of Chicago.  We currently have 60 residents in these two safe houses, as well as another 127 residents in our housing programs.
 
While we are doing everything possible to keep our agency up and running, the Covid-19 pandemic crisis is nevertheless already taking its toll.  The following provides detail as to how Covid-19 is affecting WINGS:
 
Our Emergency Services Remain Open:

• Our emergency hotline remains available for those who need us.
• Our Safe Houses remain open 24 hours a day and staffed accordingly. All other staff are working remotely.
• We currently are housing and caring for 187 adults and children in our safe houses and housing programs.
• It is imperative that we keep our staff healthy to insure they can deliver necessary support which has now required that we house shelter clients in hotel suites at an added cost.

Limiting Exposure: (Sheltering in Place)

• Family Advocate/Children’s Advocate Case Managers are having phone meetings with clients instead of in-person meetings.
• Our volunteer program is on hold throughout the agency.  At the time this crisis began, we relied upon hundreds of volunteers.
• Educational and Support groups in our Safe Houses and Housing Programs are currently on hold.  The staff are working to create environments for the children to engage in e-Learning following spring breaks.
• The number of survivors at each Safe House is being capped at 30 in order to provide enough staff and keep our residents safe.
• Our Shared Homes are temporarily not filling any vacancies.
• Our Safe House kitchen procedures have been updated to be less susceptible to virus
• spread. 

Donations:       

• We were forced to postpone our 2^nd Annual Speaker’s Luncheon that was scheduled for Monday, March 16.  This event was targeted to raise approximately $450,000 to be used for our operations. 
• This year marks WINGS 35^th anniversary.  We have postponed our celebration, which was planned for April 23^rd to honor our partners, former and current board and dozens of graduates.  The event was a celebration, but was also a fundraising opportunity at $20,000.  Currently we are looking at new dates for our 35^th Anniversary Open House.
• Our Resale Stores will close until at least April 7, per the Governor’s directive. Projected weekly revenue losses during the closure period will be approximately $45,000 to $55,000 per week.
• Our In-Kind donations of food, toiletries and household supplies are quickly diminishing.
• We are fortunate to have many foundation supporters; however, we are not yet aware as to how this crisis will affect foundation and corporate support.

Despite these concerns, our thoughts are continually with the vulnerable population we serve. While social distancing is best practice, home is not a safe place for victims of domestic violence. Tensions about reduced work hours, closings and illness can make anyone feel powerless. Abusers have increased access to victims, as survivors can no longer go to work or visit friends. Victims might fear obtaining medical treatment or seeking refuge with elderly parents. Although it is hard to predict the lasting impact of this epidemic, it is clear that WINGS services to our community are critically needed now.  In these uncertain times, we are so grateful for your support and understanding. Thank you for believing in our mission to end domestic violence. With your support we remain a safe place for those in need.
 
Thank you so much for your continued support of WINGS.  Your support is so crucial to the work WINGS does, and we are so grateful for partners like St. Hubert.
 
Stay well,
Shelley Welch, Sr. Manager of Annual Fund Giving
WINGS Program, Inc.     www.wingsprogram.com
P.O. Box 95615 | Palatine, IL 60095    *     Phone: 847-519-7820 x222 | Fax: 847-519-7821