As Survivor Lifeline Expands – WINGS Searches for Survivor Mentors

Having won a national award for outstanding program launch, WINGS Survivor Lifeline program was created to be scalable and replicable. In the near future, WINGS has plans to further expand the program into the city of Chicago. As Survivor Lifeline expands, WINGS searches for more volunteer survivor mentors, especially mentors that are fluent in Spanish.

What is Survivor Lifeline?

Survivor Lifeline Volunteer Yulizet

For the last two years, Survivor Lifeline mentor Yulizet has worked closely with Spanish-Speaking survivors of domestic violence.

Yulizet shares, “Since December 2022, I’ve proudly worn the hat of a WINGS volunteer. My role involves working closely with three Spanish-speaking mentees in weekly conversations. I coordinate with WINGS staff so that I can provide my mentees with the best resources available.”

Since the launch of Survivor Lifeline in 2021, the program has paired 111 survivors with mentors who are also survivors from domestic violence.

“The idea is that survivors moving from a domestic violence situation into their own housing will receive additional emotional support and resources to aid in smoothing their transition,” April Brayton-Flores, WINGS Director of Community-Based and Suburban Safe House Services says and continues, “These volunteers provide experience, strength, and hope as they have previously ‘walked in their shoes.’”

Survivor mentors assist clients in creating and breaking down attainable goals into actions. With a majority of clients recovering from financial abuse, mentors are prepared to assist with personal budgeting and savings. Working with WINGS Survivor Lifeline Coordinator Elizabeth, mentors can also provide information for their mentees on available resources and how to access them.

Additionally, the emotional support of someone who has gone through a similar situation is invaluable.

“I take tremendous pride in knowing that I can provide a safe space for my mentees, a place where they can share their dreams, goals, triggers, pain, joy, and everything in between,” Yulizet shares.

Goals

With this ongoing support network, survivors overcome barriers to obtain independence, rebuild their lives, and achieve financial stability.

“We have seen a majority of clients maintain their housing apart from their abuser and nearly all report their mentor has helped them access more resources,” Elizabeth, WINGS Survivor Lifeline Coordinator shares.

Challenges

Survivor Lifeline Coordinator Elizabeth holds National Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding New Service Launch.

“We have seen how beneficial this program can be for survivors, but we need to recruit more volunteers, especially those that speak Spanish fluently,” Elizabeth WINGS Survivor Lifeline Coordinator shares, “As we look to expand this program further into the city, it will remain a significant need.”

Over WINGS most recently completed fiscal year, 74% of Survivor Lifeline clients were Latinx.

Due to the shortage of Spanish-speaking mentors, Elizabeth has taken on mentoring between 6-12 clients herself, which diverts her attention from promoting the program to more survivors and providing more resources to current mentors. “Right now, it is hard for me to find time to think,” Elizabeth shares. The program has pending grants to hire an additional Survivor Lifeline Coordinator to assist with implementing the program in the city of Chicago.

“We know how effective this connection can be to a survivor’s successful transition to independence. We just need to get the message out to the right people that this is a powerful way to donate your time.” Elizabeth states.

Mentor Qualities

Survivor Lifeline mentors should be a survivor of domestic violence and more than one year removed from any personal experience with domestic violence. Volunteers will receive a free, 40-hour domestic violence training and on-going training resources.

Elizabeth matches survivors pairs based on their backgrounds, values, and interests. Meetings between mentors and mentees are determined by what is most mutually beneficial for both.

“Most Survivor Lifeline volunteers take on one mentee. We ask each volunteer donate at least one hour a week to spend with their mentee. For convenience, transportation cost, and privacy, most pairs prefer to meet over the phone. However, some pairs prefer to meet in person at a public location like the library or a park,” Elizabeth explains. “I always check in with my mentors twice a month to see how it is going.”

In addition to being a survivor themselves, ideal qualities for Survivor Lifeline Mentors include:

• A desire to empower survivors
• Great communication skills
• Enjoyment in speaking to people one-on-one
• Comfortability in working with people from diverse backgrounds including economic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion
• Compassion
• Strong personal boundaries

A Gratifying Opportunity

For Yulizet, Survivor Lifeline was the perfect opportunity to give back. She shares:

“My mission statement is to live my life with intention and purpose. Volunteering at WINGS aligns perfectly with this mission. It serves as a reminder to slow down, practice gratitude, and be of service to others – an invaluable blessing that I never take for granted. My mentees feel empowered, and I know that I am making a positive impact in their lives.”

Elizabeth has also seen similar results, “When you give, it fills you up too. In my experience, people often underestimate how gratifying it is to help someone just by listening. Hearing the change in voice of a client as they share a success with you is so powerful.”

Interested in Becoming a Mentor?

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Survivor Lifeline Mentor, contact Bruna.