Children & Family Services Program’s Growth: Exceptional Advocates, Teen Dating Violence Education, & More Support Groups

Did you know that in 2022 there was a 106% increase in requests for children’s services to the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline over the prior year? In response to this increased need, over the last two years WINGS has continued to grow the Children and Family Services Program through hiring more exceptional staff, providing Teen Dating Violence Education to youth, and offering counseling and support groups to youth in the community through the new Foglia Family Resource Center (FFRC).

Since 2022, WINGS Children and Family Services program has grown from 4 staff to 10 and expanded the program’s reach significantly.

• Before:

WINGS was providing services to clients in the agency’s Safe Houses and Transitional Housing programs.

• Now:

Additionally, the agency has Children’s Advocates assisting in WINGS Chicago Rapid Rehousing Program, Suburban Rapid Rehousing program, and since November 2023, youth in the community through the Foglia Family Resource Center.

Realizing prevention is key, WINGS now can proactively provide Teen Dating Violence Education and training to schools.

Exceptional Advocates

One aspect that makes WINGS Children and Family Services program exceptional is the quality of its staff. WINGS Children’s Advocates have master’s degrees and receive evidence-based training including:

• Child Parent Psychotherapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping)
• Play Therapy

Ilona, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and WINGS Assistant Manager of Children and Family Services, has received training in EMDR and shares, “Recently, I was using EMDR in a session, and the child responded to it really well. She left regulated and smiling, sharing her experience with a parent…

 …It’s seemingly small moments like these that assure me our work is important.”

Teen Dating Violence Education

Teens are new to dating and often susceptible to abuse. If teens experiencing dating violence don’t have an opportunity to heal from the abuse, they are at risk of being in abusive relationships as adults. With the hiring of new Children’s Advocates, WINGS is now able to proactively reach out to schools to provide teen dating violence education.

Currently WINGS is developing a curriculum for middle school and high school students to address Teen Dating Violence and healthy relationships.

“It is such a prevalent issue. Our goal is to reach more students and offer healthy relationship groups at schools and the FFRC.” Ilona shares and continues, “We have had opportunities to present on teen dating violence to youth groups and high school students.”

WINGS Teen Dating Violence sessions often help answer questions for both adults and youth.

Ilona says, “Being present in schools is so important. We discuss healthy relationships and red flags, and help students to identify coping skills and support system…

…Teen dating violence should not be normalized. It is important that we engage youth in a discussion on what a healthy relationship looks like, boost their confidence, encourage problem solving, learn about emotional regulation and conflict resolution skills.”

Soon the FFRC will offer virtual teen dating violence and healthy relationships groups.  

If you are looking for WINGS to speak to your group about Teen Dating Violence, click below to request a speaker.

Children Services at the Foglia Family Resource Center

The Foglia Family Resource Center offers counseling, case management, advocacy, support groups, and more. Additionally, parenting groups and domestic violence support groups are offered for the survivors.

Beth, WINGS Director of Children and Family Services shares, “I’m so excited about our new addition (the FFRC). Here we can provide counseling to children who are still living in the community. Prior to that, the children needed to be living in one of our programs. So now we can take children who are living at home, sometimes they may still be in a family that is experiencing domestic violence, or they might have recently left.”

Ilona adds, “Community clients who are coming to the FFRC are very motivated to have their children in counseling. They are often low-income families or their insurance doesn’t cover the cost of counseling…

…Also, many youth are still living with the abusive parent which makes discussing coping skills, support system, and safety planning even more critical.”

Support Groups

In 2022, the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline saw a 74% increase in calls requesting domestic violence support groups.

“We find that people who participate in groups really encourage each other as they share their experiences and heal together. Messages like, ‘I left,’ and ‘You are not alone,’ can be impactful,” Ilona says.

Parenting groups help survivors connect with one another and feel less alone.

Recently, FFRC staff held their last of the 7-week Rainbows group for children, where they were able to process various losses, learn and practice coping skills, and find supportive community. At the final group session, children and staff celebrated the participants’ graduations. After the celebration, children engaged in a “Goodbye” activity where they wrote their fears and worries on helium balloons and released them outside to let go of what had hurt them.

Ilona ads, “Everyone shed tears and exchanged hugs. Seeing kids who feel safe to freely express themselves is a gift and we are grateful to be part of this beautiful experience.”

Children’s Advocates at the FFRC are starting another 7-week Rainbow Group soon.

Other Components of WINGS Children & Family Services Program

Even before the program’s expansion, WINGS Children and Family Services Program was comprehensive.

Components of WINGS Children & Family Services Program include:

• Assessments: Parents and children consult with their Children’s Advocates to evaluate the children’s needs and develop specific goals.
• Therapeutic counseling: The program’s counseling philosophy is strengths-based, empowerment-focused and rooted in the belief that every client deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
• Parent-Child Relationships: WINGS staff use “Nurturing Parent Program” and Child Parent Psychotherapy, working closely with each parent and child to assist them with processing their feelings about each other and the experiences they have shared. 

• Pro-Social Activities: WINGS provides informal opportunities for both parents and children to learn about one another and the world around them. Activities have included trips to the SOUL Harbor Ranch Animal Therapy Program, picnics in local parks and holiday parties.
  • “My three children and I loved the ranch. My children had never seen a horse and they loved riding them.”
  • “The picnic was a blast, my kids loved the miniature horses, all the great food and the bouncy house.”
• Educational Needs: Children’s Advocates consult with counselors and teachers at children’s schools to ensure that the child’s needs are addressed.
•  Social Enrichment Activities: WINGS received a restricted grant to assist families overcome cost and transportation barriers to essential appointments and enriching activities. Families have shared:
  • “My children were able to have an eye exam and get glasses.”
  • “I was able to go to DHS to get Link card to feed my children.”

Thank You!

These Children and Family Services expansions are only possible because of WINGS community of supporters: government grants, foundations, and generous community individuals.

Click here to help ensure WINGS can continue to serve families:

Explore all the different ways to get involved here:

Playroom recently updated at one of WINGS Transitional Homes. Thanks to Bright Space, an effort of Bright Horizons Foundation for Children for volunteering their time, purchasing new toys and furniture, and creating a wonderful space children in the home love exploring.

Help is Available

If you are in an abusive relationship, WINGS can help.

WINGS holistic approach ranges from emergency Safe Houses, Transitional Housing, Community-Based Services including mentorship, hospital partnerships, and comprehensive children’s services. Click here to learn more.

Domestic Violence 24-Hr Hotline: 847.221.5680

To learn more about Counseling and/or Mentoring, call WINGS Intake Line: (847) 519-7828. The Intake Line is answered by trained crisis workers. Please leave a message and a worker will return your call within 24-48 hours.