When a victim of domestic violence finds WINGS, the world begins to change for the better. At WINGS, we have helped thousands of victims begin a journey that leads away from violence and towards safety, security and independence.
- This first step to escaping domestic violence is often a phone call.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can find help by calling the 24-hour hotline at 847-221-5680. The caller speaks with a WINGS representative, who assesses the needs of the victim. If the victim needs immediate safe housing and there is space at one of WINGS Safe Houses, the representative connects the caller with an intake coordinator.
- During the phone call, the intake coordinator collects additional information and places a hold on a room in one of WINGS two Safe Houses for 24 hours.
The coordinator can answer questions about what to bring (e.g., photo identification, financial and medical documents) and help the caller think through a personalized safety plan for leaving. WINGS holds the room for 24 hours to allow the caller (and the caller’s children, in many cases) to get to the Safe House.
- Upon arrival at the Safe House, the individual or family is greeted by a House Advocate.
The House Advocate provides a tour of the assigned living space and of the common areas that are shared with other families living at the Safe House. The House Advocate helps the individual or family settle in, making sure to provide any necessary items like pajamas, slippers, diapers and toiletries.
- WINGS program staff work with each client to determine whether additional housing support is necessary.
In many cases, residents of the Safe Houses will move into transitional or shared housing for an extended stay while they work to rebuild their lives and move towards independence. Throughout the journey, the WINGS team provides wrap-around support to connect clients with services including life skills training, job training and job search support. For every one of our clients, the WINGS team is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence. Depending on the individual situation, clients and their children may continue to live at the Safe House for a period of several months.
- At the Safe House, they are assigned a Family Advocate and a Children’s Advocate.
The Family Advocate’s role is to help each client begin to heal. As that healing continues, the Family Advocate helps the client map out a plan for the future. The Family Advocate helps the client connect with services such as crisis and trauma counseling. The Family Advocate also helps clients with safety planning and life skills training. Many clients work with the Family Advocate to access legal assistance to obtain orders of protection.
Clients who arrive at the Safe House with their children are assigned a Master’s Level Children’s Advocate (CA). The Children’s Advocate provides case management, assessment, advocacy and counseling/therapy services. The CA will support families accessing services in the community such as day-care, school and medical care. Each child 0-5 years old receives a developmental screening and the parent is given resources and referrals when the results indicate a need. The Children’s Advocate also completes a trauma symptom assessment for each child three years old and older. The parent is then given recommendations for their child to participate in individual, group or family counseling services provided by the Children’s Advocates.
- Depending on the individual situation, clients and their children may continue to live at the Safe House for a period of several months.*
WINGS program staff work with each client to determine whether additional housing support is necessary. In many cases, residents of the Safe Houses will move into transitional or shared housing for an extended stay while they work to rebuild their lives and move towards independence. Throughout the journey, the WINGS team provides wrap-around support to connect clients with services including life skills training, job training and job search support. For every one of our clients, the WINGS team is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence.
* Additional housing options are available for up to two years and in some cases, indefinitely.
