A WINGS Graduate Honored

Posted by Anna Bard
On October 14, 2019
Domestic Violence, Purple Tie Ball, Stop domestic violence, WINGS

Jessica* came to WINGS Safe House with her daughter. Through WINGS domestic violence education groups, case management, and counseling with Life Span, she displayed an amazing strength and made a huge list of goals she wanted to accomplish.

She tackled each goal one by one. She established her credit, bought a car, got a job, and entered the North Cook Transitional Housing (NCTH) program where for the first time she obtained an apartment in her own name.

She also advocated to receive child support and finalized her divorce. She took the initiative to install a security system in her home to alleviate the fear of living alone with a young child.

She began saving aggressively, paid off all of her credit card debt, and became debt free. Her FICO score increased and she learned about starting a retirement fund.

She set a goal to get her citizenship and is in the process of completing the classes and test required to accomplish this goal.

Jessica* has a Bachelor in Physics, and is in the process of applying for a second degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Harper College. This is one more step forward as she pursues her goal of a doctorate degree, on the path to a PHD in medical physics with the end goal of doing research.

Upon completion of the NCTH program and two years in the WINGS program, she will be moving into her own home with the help of Habitat for Humanity, which offered classes to establish a financial baseline and instruction on how to build her own home as she wants it to be.

At the Purple Tie Ball this past Saturday, October 5^th, Jessica* was awarded the David K. Hill Award. Each year at the event, this award is given to an outstanding WINGS graduate. David Hill, founder of Kimball Hill Homes, donated and built WINGS Safe House, the agency’s first emergency shelter. David left a legacy of hope for all of the families who have found refuge and a life free from violence. Jessica* is one of the beneficiaries of that legacy.

*WINGS uses representative names and photos to protect the dignity and security of those we serve.