WINGS Volunteers Share Why They Continue to Donate their Time

Volunteers are crucial to many aspects of WINGS mission. Last year WINGS 2,524 volunteers donated 56,318 hours of service. This is the equivalent of 27 full-time employees. As April is National Volunteer Month, WINGS volunteers share why they continue to donate their time to the largest domestic violence agency in Illinois. We hope you enjoy their responses and consider volunteering at WINGS.

Mentors

Volunteer mentors in WINGS innovative Survivor Lifeline Program are a crucial part of the program’s success. Survivor Lifeline pairs compassionate volunteer mentors with survivors moving out of domestic violence shelters.

We are in need of more survivor mentors! We are especially in need of mentors who speak Spanish. If you are more than one year removed from your personal domestic violence experience, have good communication skills, and are compassionate, this volunteer position could be for you.

Here is what some of our mentors shared about their experience volunteering with WINGS:

Volunteer Yulizet M.

“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.

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.

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.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to WINGS Program, thank you for everything you do!” Yulizet M.

Volunteer Tiajuana W.

“I continue to volunteer for WINGS because of a personal mission of mine. WINGS mission statement and values significantly coincide with my own. I will continue to support survivors of Domestic Violence on the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro level. My long-term goal is to increase awareness at the policy level.” Tiajuana W.

Volunteer Dara L.

“I continue to volunteer at WINGS because of the people that I volunteer for. I have created great relationships with people through WINGS. It is nice to develop a relationship with someone and see them continue to grow. It is also special to feel like I, myself have developed and learned so much through being a part of this program.” Dara L.

WINGS Resale

WINGS is continually recruiting volunteers to assist at WINGS three Resale Stores in the Northwest Suburbs. We are especially in need of volunteers for the Niles Resale Store.

Resale volunteers sort community donations, assist as a cashier, and/or a merchandiser.

Resale Volunteers share why they continue to volunteer below:

Volunteer Dionne C.

“I volunteer at WINGS because I love the staff, the merchandise, and most of all its mission. I am a survivor too! WINGS is my happy place. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to serve others.” Dionne C.

Volunteer Anna B.

“Knowing that my volunteering helps people in need is the most important thing for me. Social interaction is another, and there are so many opportunities in the store. Especially by volunteering as a cashier, I have a lot of opportunities to interact with different people. Meeting other volunteers, people with similar mindset, is wonderful! I also love organizing things 🙂” Anna B.

Volunteer Debbie M.

“Volunteering at WINGS Resale store in Schaumburg is one of the best choices I’ve made recently. The people I work with are so friendly and fun to be with. And knowing that my time is going to help someone else is important to me.” Debbie M.

Volunteer Larry S. (center).

“Volunteering at WINGS just makes me feel good. I think it is a combination of giving back, working with very nice people, and aggravating my wife when I bring something home that I bought with my discount! Haha.” Larry S. (center)

Volunteer Olutomi B.

“I continue to volunteer for WINGS because it is a nice place, people are warm, not rushed in front of the cash register. People are very friendly. I can honestly say l have fun with people, and the music keeps you going.” Olutomi B.

Volunteer Bren Z.

“I continue to volunteer at WINGS because I believe in the Program. It is also very rewarding to me, knowing I am contributing a small part in helping the residents and the overall success of WINGS.” Bren Z.

Volunteer Tommy B.

“I started volunteering at WINGS six weeks ago. I look forward to going there every Thursday to work with great people and for a great cause. I always wanted to be part of an organization like WINGS!” Tommy B.

Volunteer Linda R.

“I continue to volunteer at WINGS because it gives me great satisfaction to make a small impact on those who are in need of help.” Linda R.

Volunteer Darrel Z.

“[I volunteer] to continue knowing I am part of the solution in supporting abused women and their families to achieve a better lifestyle…[I enjoy] being myself [and] creating a humorous atmosphere for my fellow teammates, and most importantly, for our clients who donate and shop.” Darrel Z.

Logistics Center

If you have a small group looking to volunteer together, volunteering at the Logistics Center might be the opportunity for you. Volunteers at the Logistics Center sort donations from the community, inspect items for damage, and categorize them for further processing.

“I volunteer at the Logistics Center because it is fun, the people are nice, and it helps the resale shops to raise money for the great work done by WINGS. We come across some nice stuff!” Janice C.

Safe House Volunteer

Volunteers at WINGS Safe Houses play an integral role in creating a safe and welcoming environment for survivors. WINGS is in need of Safe House Hosts who assist with mealtimes and Safe House Lobby Volunteers.

Safe House Volunteers Share

Volunteer Mary H.

“[I continue to volunteer] because the guests who come to the Safe House need to eat a delicious and healthy meal in a safe and clean and comforting place. I try to treat every guest as though they are my family. I know they would do the same for me and my family if they could.

Here is a picture of me in the Safe House kitchen before I got started prepping for lunch. (This is before I tied up my hair and put on a hair net!) Today we served chicken, mashed potatoes, buttered corn, warmed spiced apple slices, salad, and sweet Hawaiian bread. Dessert was sliced oranges, cupcakes, and cookies.” Mary H.

Bonnie A. (child) with her Step-Grandpa and Grandma.

“One of the reasons I volunteer for WINGS is because of something my mother told me. She said my grandmother left my grandfather with my mother who was 5-years-old & my uncle who was 3 because my grandpa was beating her! I didn’t know this until maybe 10 years ago!

Because she was able to do that (What strength she must have had!!!), I am here! They got in the back of a Greyhound Bus in Nashville, TN with the suitcases, and could not get out until they got to Chicago. My grandma was only 15-years-old when she had my mom.
The picture I’m sending is my Grandma, her second husband, (my step-grandpa) and me!!” Bonnie A.

Volunteer Sandra C.

“Since completing my 40-hour training in January of 2017 and volunteering at the Safe House since then, I have been a first-hand witness to the dedication, compassion, and commitment of the WINGS team to help those impacted by domestic violence. 

The staff (and volunteers) work together to provide a safe space where personal growth, self-confidence, and independence become a reality for our guests. This inspires me personally to continue to help in any way I can and to ‘keep showing up!’” Sandra C., Safe House Lobby Volunteer

Volunteer Lindsey H.

“I continue to volunteer with WINGS because breaking the cycle of domestic violence isn’t a dream to be had, it’s a must do we will only achieve all together. The people I’ve met within the organization, other volunteers, guests, and graduates have been some of the most amazing people I’ve encountered. I also do this for a dear friends Lisa and Frank who were taken too soon. Making a difference is the best way I can think to honor them.” Lindsey H.

Thank You!

We are grateful for our volunteers who empower our mission. You are truly the wind beneath our wings!

If you are interested in any of our available volunteer opportunities, learn more here.

One final quote from our volunteer Susan:

Volunteer Susan H.

“I’m a relatively new volunteer, having started at WINGS within the last three years. I always told myself that if I had the good fortune to retire with my health and finances intact that I would put my time, talents, and resources to good use. I can’t think of a better cause than WINGS.

The reason I signed up to volunteer is the reason I continue to volunteer: because WINGS is a well-run, local organization that makes meaningful changes in people’s lives. Rather than provide handouts, WINGS provides a hand up & out of a bad situation for their clients — along with the tools to build a new and better life. And in doing so, WINGS helps to strengthen the communities of the clients served.

What’s not to love?”