WINGS Recognizes 40th Anniversary

In 2025, WINGS recognizes its 40^th Anniversary in providing services to survivors of domestic violence. This year we will share favorite memories of our agency’s history, reflect on our growth, and share ways to engage in our mission to end domestic violence.

How Did WINGS Begin?

WINGS was founded in 1985 by a group of volunteers Louis Tosto, Ed Geiss, Edith Hovius and Ed Boggio from St. Marcelline Church in Schaumburg in response to the growing issue of homelessness in the northwest suburbs.

The group wanted to focus on meeting the needs of women and children, and they found the cause of many of these instances of homelessness related to domestic violence.

Trivia Time

WINGS in the 1980s

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1990s

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2000s

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2010s

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2020s

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What’s Next

Hope you enjoyed the trivia and learning a bit about WINGS past.

Now we want to switch gears and talk about WINGS future and what we are excited about 2025.

We are Spreading our WINGS this year:

• Survivor Lifeline Expansion – Through generous funding from BMO – WINGS is expanding our Survivor Lifeline Mentoring program and have hired another Coordinator who will focus on matching survivor mentors with survivors in the city of Chicago. Thank you BMO!

• Hospital Program Expansion – City of Chicago has made a major investment in domestic violence interventions at hospitals without affecting city taxpayers. We are exciting to this year be launching our Hospital Program at UIC.

• WINGS in Miami – WINGS is hosting a luncheon in Miami-Dade County featuring Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson and passionate advocate in the fight against domestic violence. Funding will go towards expanding some of WINGS proven community-based services in Miami.

Thank You!

Thanks for joining us today and for being a supporter of WINGS. Stay tuned because this April we will ask for your support in an ambitious 40 hours of giving.

The need for our services is so great. It can feel like too often there are tragic domestic violence incidents on the news. There are a lot of people who need access to resources.

However, in 40 years we have assisted thousands of survivors. Survivors and their children who have healed and grown up to do incredible things:

• Become an alderperson
• Provide flowers to survivors on Valentine’s Day
• Become board members at WINGS
• Some have gone on to become counselors and assist other survivors

We believe we can end domestic violence by coming together as a community. If you want to find tangible ways to get involved this year, visit our “Get Involved” page. Monetary donations, volunteers and drives for pantry items are all needed.

Thanks for joining in our mission.

If you are a survivor in need of services, call the domestic violence 24-hour hotline: 847-221-5680. If you in need of counseling or other services, learn more here.