A New Direction (AND) Joins the WINGS Family

During WINGS Annual Meeting, it was announced that A New Direction (AND),
an organization on the southwest side of Chicago, would become part of WINGS. WINGS had been looking for a way to expand its Chicago-services beyond the Metro Safe House, and the community-based services AND provided were the right fit.

Founded in 2011, AND provided counseling, legal advocacy, education and
support to families affected by domestic violence in Beverly, Morgan Park, Mt. Greenwood, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, and the surrounding communities. As a program of WINGS, AND continues to serve these communities with its services, allowing WINGS to further its mission to provide housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to break the cycle of domestic violence for more
individuals and families in the Chicago area.

Although AND is now a part of WINGS, support for the local counseling agency has not wavered. AND Board members have joined WINGS newly created A New Direction Leadership Council, Jessica McCarihan, former AND Executive Director, has joined WINGS Board of Directors and a long-time employee remains a domestic violence counselor working out of their office in the community.

Jessica said, “Since day one, helping survivors overcome domestic violence as they navigate their journey to safety has been AND’s top priority. Together with WINGS, we are confident our legacy will grow more quickly and empower more Southwest siders seeking to liberate themselves from the life-threatening constraints of domestic violence. We are grateful to our loyal supporters and for this opportunity as we look to our future together.”

A New Direction Leadership Council, June 2022: Top row: Ericka Swanson, Nicole Centracchio, Yvonne DelPrincipe, Sarah Hurley, Jan Rauen, Susan Anderson, Martha McNicholas Lowry Bottom row: Maureen Davis Clark, Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, Nancy McMorran, Jessica McCarihan, Rebecca Darr, Rep. Kelly Burke, and Paul Duggan

Rita Ryan,
Certified Domestic Violence Professional

AND’s adult advocate is an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP) and Legal Advocate who has been providing domestic violence counseling and legal advocacy to abuse victims in the Beverly Morgan Park community for more than 30 years.

AND Leadership Council

Susan Anderson
Tim Baffoe
Michelle Brett
Rep. Kelly Burke
Monica Carey
Marybeth Carlson
Nicole Centracchio
Sen. Bill Cunningham
Sheriff Tom Dart
Maureen Davis
Yvonne L. DelPrincipe
Paul Duggan
Patty Enright
Tim Enright
Penny Golden
Steve Golden
Rebeca Huffman
Rep. Fran Hurley
Sarah Hurley
Michaelene Kelly
Sheila King
Jessica McCarihan
Jamenda McCoy
Nancy McMorran
Martha McNicholas Lowry
Colleen Mixan Mikaitis
Ald. Matt O’Shea
Michelle Pettiford
Janice M. Rauen
Jim Rohan
Mary Pat Rohan
Rob Solano
Assoc. Attorney Katten Muchin
  Rosenman LLP
Kelly Stanley, CFP® MBA
Brad Trowbridge
Guy Wolgamott