WINGS Award-Winning Survivor Lifeline: Connecting Clients to Survivor Mentors

WINGS Award-Winning Survivor Lifeline: connecting clients to survivor mentors…WINGS launched Survivor Lifeline two years ago, which matches compassionate volunteer Survivor Mentors with domestic violence survivors who are exiting shelters and moving into housing. Since it began, the program’s response has been impactful. Below read firsthand accounts from Survivor Lifeline Mentors. Learn how you can make a difference during WINGS Week of Giving.

Design and Launch

For over 20 years, WINGS has been providing mentoring for Housing Program graduates (Project Lifeline) and for Latinx survivors (ALAS Program). An expansion of these mentoring programs, Survivor Lifeline matches culturally compatible survivor mentors with survivors moving into housing programs throughout the Chicago region.

“WINGS graduates have come forward to serve in our other mentoring programs. Their words would provide inspiration and hope. Feedback from these engagements proved that survivors were benefiting from having a mentor who had lived similar experiences.

Volunteer mentors provide experience, strength, and hope as they have previously ‘walked in their shoes,’ and the concept for Survivor Lifeline was created,” April Brayton-Flores, WINGS Director of Community Based Services and the Suburban Safe House shares.

The program’s launch received a National Purple Ribbon Award from Domestic Shelters.Org and was one of only seven programs to receive an accompanying grant.

To date Survivor Lifeline has matched 50 survivors to mentors who are survivors themselves. These volunteer mentors, who have shared experiences and cultures, function as a bridge to community resources and aid in career aspirations.

This support network results in clients overcoming financial barriers and obtaining emotional independence. This program is designed to be replicable and scalable.

So far this year, 86% of the clients served in WINGS Survivor Lifeline program have reported an increase in their access to resources.

Survivor Mentors

Mimi

“It (Volunteering for Survivor Lifeline) makes me feel as if I can make a small difference in the world and motivates me to be grateful for what I have in my own life. Thank you so much for the opportunity!”

Yulizet

“I am proud to be a Survivor Lifeline Mentor at WINGS. It is inspiring to be a part of an organization that values the voices of survivors and provides much-needed resources. 

My mentee, of only two months, tells me she feels so much better after she talks to me, and that makes what I do all that more special. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to empower other women.”

You Can Make a Difference

As WINGS celebrates its 38^th Anniversary and Volunteer Month, we need your support.

Any amount you donate this week for Survivor Lifeline will be matched up to $25,000 by the Greer Foundation.

Double your impact this week and donate today:

Are you a Survivor Interested in Becoming a Mentor?

We are recruiting survivor mentors and Spanish-speaking mentors are especially needed.

*WINGS uses representative names and photos to protect the dignity and security of those we serve.