WINGS Resale Awarded Outstanding Thrift Shop of the Year from National Domestic Violence Evaluator

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2023

Contact:
Rebecca Darr
President & CEO
847.519.7820 ext. 212
847.302.8700
rdarr@wingsprogram.com

WINGS Resale Awarded Outstanding Thrift Shop of the Year from National Domestic Violence Evaluator

WINGS Resale Arlington Heights Staff & Volunteers with Award

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DomesticShelters.org has announced WINGS Resale as one of the winners of the 2023 Purple Ribbon Awards for Outstanding Thrift Shop of the Year. Purple Ribbon awards are judged by a national panel of respected professionals from the domestic violence field. The Purple Ribbon Awards are presented by Theresa’s Fund, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates DomesticShelters.org.

WINGS first Resale Store opened in 2000 to provide a new revenue stream and resources for survivors to shop for their own personal items through gift cards. Now, WINGS operates four Resale Stores: three in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs (Arlington Heights, Niles, and Schaumburg) and one city location under an alternate name.

When clients move into housing, they can select furniture and housewares to be delivered. Every donated item goes to a survivor, a store, or a recycling service. Last year, WINGS Resale provided $31,400 in Resale Gift Cards to clients.

WINGS Resale Schaumburg with Award

“We are so excited for our Resale Stores to be recognized for the outstanding work they do. Everyone in the community benefits. Survivors can shop in a dignified way for personal items and home goods, community members are able to donate items instead of sending them to a landfill, and customers are able to find high quality items at great prices. We have amazing staff and volunteers that make this success possible, and we celebrate this achievement with them,” Rebecca Darr, WINGS President and CEO shares.

The Purple Ribbon Awards are the first comprehensive awards program honoring the countless heroes of the domestic violence movement: advocates, shelters, survivors, and more. Winners include entries from the United States and Canada. Entries were judged based on the size of a nominee’s organization within each category.

Winning entries receive a certificate and official Purple Ribbon Award medallion. $30,000 worth of grants will be awarded to exemplary Purple Ribbon Award winners during a virtual celebration on May 18, 2023.

Staff at WINGS Logistics Center where donations are sorted by volunteer groups before being distributed to WINGS Resale Stores.

“Working in the domestic violence field can often feel like an uphill battle. The annual Purple Ribbon Awards offer a moment of reflection, celebration, and idea-sharing. It sheds light on the remarkable efforts that would otherwise go unrecognized,” said Ashley Rumschlag, CEO and President of Theresa’s Fund, which operates DomesticShelters.org.

Purple Ribbon Award Winner Sarah McClarey with Award.

Additionally, WINGS alumni Sarah McClarey won a Purple Ribbon award for Survivor of the Year for her work with Operation Shelter Cupid. For the past 13 years, McClarey has raised funds to buy and deliver Valentine’s bouquets and special meals to WINGS and other Chicago-area DV shelters.

This is the second year in a row WINGS has been honored with this recognition. Last fall, WINGS won three Purple Ribbon Awards: Best New Service Launch: Survivor Lifeline, Lifetime Achievement Award: Rita Canning, and Annual Report of the Year. Out of 125 Purple Ribbon Winners, WINGS Survivor Lifeline mentoring program was one of only seven organizations to be awarded an accompanying grant.

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The mission of WINGS Program, Inc. is to provide housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. WINGS offers a continuum of services including housing across Metropolitan Chicago: WINGS Metro Safe House in southwest Chicago, Suburban Safe House in the northwest suburbs, Transitional and Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, comprehensive Children and Family Services, and Community Based Services including hospital partnerships, Survivor Lifeline mentoring, and A New Direction in Beverly/Morgan Park. Anyone experiencing domestic violence can receive help by calling the 24-hour hotline at 847.221.5680.