Why I Support WINGS & How You Can Help on #GivingTuesday

Posted by Sarah Swiston
On November 19, 2021
#GivingTuesday, Chicago, chicago metropolitan area, Chicago suburbs, children survivors dv, Domestic Violence, domestic violence agency, domestic violence organization, DV agency, End Domestic Violence, non-profit, northwest chicago, Philanthropy, WINGS, WINGS Program

What is #GivingTuesday? Following Black Friday and Small Business Saturday (check out WINGS Resale Stores by the way), #GivingTuesday is a world-wide day to celebrate giving. This year #GivingTuesday is November 30^th. Learn how you can get involved and why our community members support WINGS mission to end domestic violence.

How You Can Participate:

Donate – Help us reach our goal of raising $25,000 on November 30^th to help children break the cycle of violence. GIVE a gift and help children GROW emotionally and socially to reach their goals.
- Learn more about our holistic Children & Family Services Program
- Learn what a day in the life of a Children’s Advocate Intern is like

Share – Share why you support WINGS on Social Media. Tag @Wings and use the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Encourage your friends to follow WINGS.

Why I Support WINGS:

Bonnie Smith, WINGS Metro Leadership Council

“I am so proud to be a member of the WINGS Metro Leadership Council. Breaking the cycle of domestic violence is a topic very near and dear to my heart. My mother was a survivor, as well as other close family members.

The work that WINGS is leading to uplift and bring safety, financial freedom, confidence and independence to individuals and families is incredible.

As a ‘city kid’ who grew up in a household that experienced what domestic violence does to families, I am extremely thankful to the WINGS leadership team for allowing me to lend my voice and support to help the brave women, men and children at WINGS Metro.”

Darla Swango, WINGS Board Member

“I first became aware of WINGS through a group volunteer day, nearly six years ago, with my former employer, the Chicago Bears.

We were helping to clean up the property that would eventually become the first safe house opened in the city of Chicago in 10 years. This jarring fact absolutely floored me, and as I learned more about the crucial work being done by staff and volunteers at this amazing organization, I wanted to be a part of actively supporting their efforts.

I joined the board of directors, regularly attend events and donate to WINGS because I strongly believe in helping those – who by no fault of their own – are not in a position to help themselves. This is especially important during these challenging times with a pandemic continuing and so many people feeling anxiety, uncertainty and economic stress. I’m proud to serve an organization that works tirelessly to heal, lift up, and empower so many women and families in the Chicagoland area.”

Anna Brown, WINGS Honorary Leadership Council

“I am motivated to be a part of WINGS because of the very first visit I had to one of the WINGS homes. I came away forever changed on my view of what the term ‘safe and secure’ means. Safe and secure, to me, always seemed to apply to the weather. Are you safe and secure when the thunder, rain or snowstorms hit? Seeing what safe and secure means to the members of the WINGS community, means literally life and death.

I saw the physical surroundings, the creature comforts, the ‘extras’, which included a ‘gift room’ where children could go and get presents for their mother or vice versa. The concern and comfort of the staff for the guests is truly amazing. WINGS is making a real, concrete, difference in the lives of these women and children each and every day. If it were not for WINGS, I don’t even want to imagine where they would be.

The personal reward I receive is hearing the graduates of the program speak about where they started and where they are headed now. Truly, TRULY transformational. To see, firsthand, the work of God through the people at WINGS is both humbling and totally inspirational.”

Michael Hennig, WINGS Metro Associate Council

“I am honored to be part of the Associate Council at WINGS. Our main goal is to raise money and awareness about WINGS and the dangerous cycle of domestic violence with a younger, Chicago-focused network. We accomplish this by hosting charity and education events, as well as working with the broader WINGS organization to promote their events.

WINGS is meaningful to me because it provides much needed help and resources to victims of domestic violence and abuse. This is a matter of life and death and essential for a safe community. I grew up in the northwest suburbs and learning how common and close to home domestic violence thrives, was shocking.

I have dedicated the last seven years to serving the Associate Council and learning more about how domestic violence impacts individuals and our society as a whole. It is still a topic rarely discussed in the open, and my reason for donating to WINGS is so that it becomes a topic we are not afraid to talk about. I am so appreciative of the hard work Rebecca, Nikki, and the whole WINGS organization does on a daily basis to serve our community and provide a safe place for victims and their families.”

Katie De Runtz, WINGS Metro Associate Council

“WINGS is relentless in its mission to end domestic violence, an issue that, even in 2021, is still taboo.

Domestic violence does not discriminate; it comes in many forms and requires a lot of strength and dedication from the victims and the people working to support victims and bring awareness to the issue.

As a member of the WINGS Metro Associate Council, I have had the privilege of meeting many of the strong and dedicated members of the WINGS community – both staff and graduates. It’s truly inspiring to be part of a village of people who have an uncompromising drive to make a lasting difference at the individual level and at the community level.

Being able to join in the fight to end domestic violence, while also learning and growing from the WINGS community has fueled my passion and helped me build a stronger voice and platform to continue to help WINGS now and into the future.”

Debbie Herst, WINGS Volunteer

“I have been supporting and volunteering for WINGS for many years because I strongly believe in its mission, and I have the utmost confidence in the wonderful WINGS staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to achieve that mission.

Throughout the years, I have been impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the WINGS team, and I feel privileged to be a part of that group. Because of their commitment and perseverance, women’s and children’s lives are saved and improved every day.

On a personal level, I have enjoyed working with the WINGS staff to coordinate events and assist with administrative projects.

I have also had the opportunity to be a mentor to a WINGS graduate, and this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Sometimes, being a mentor simply means offering genuine and unconditional friendship to a woman who has faced many challenges in her life, including being disappointed by people she thought she could count on;
Other times, mentorship means providing unwavering support and strong empowerment to a woman while she endures some of the most difficult moments and decisions of her life.

I am proud to be a part of an organization which stands by women from the beginning to the end of this difficult, yet crucial journey.”