WINGS Program, Inc.

The mission is to provide housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. WINGS provides holistic, individualized care to assist clients gain independence. In Fiscal Year 2023 WINGS saw the following outcomes from adults completing an exit survey:
• 96% Safe House clients reported feeling safe;
• 93% Safe House clients reported knowing more about community resources;
• 83% Safe House clients reported being more financially stable than when they had entered the Safe House;
• 77% Safe House, Rapid Rehousing and Transitional Housing clients moved to more secure housing including homeownership, private housing, public housing, family/friends or WINGS or Transitional Housing program.

With comprehensive support, survivors improve their quality of life, assure their safety and rebuild their feelings of self-worth. This is accomplished through teaching families how to form stronger relationships and forge positive relationships which breaks the cycle of violence, poverty and homelessness. In FY2023, WINGS served 205 children in both Safe Houses, representing 63% of the survivors served. The FY20 percentage was 56%. Outcomes for WINGS Children & Family Services program in FY2023 include:
• 96% of clients attending parenting groups said they learned new parenting skills.
• 81% of speaking-aged children at WINGS Safe Houses were able to identify two things they can do to feel safe.
• 81% of speaking-aged children at WINGS Safe Houses reported that they understood the violence in their family was not their fault.

1. Maintain Excellence across all aspects of WINGS
* Programs and Services
* Fiscal Responsibility
* Talent Management
* Facilities

2. Expand and Diversify Revenue through contributions, events, resale and earned income, and board expansion
* Contributions and Events
* Resale and Earned Income
* Board Expansion

3. Expand Services and Programs to clients and communities
* Programs
* Services

4. Increase Advocacy and Awareness on the federal, state, and local levels through marketing and brand awareness
* Federal
* State
* Local
* Marketing
* Brand Awareness

Through a lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, members of the WINGS Executive Team will work cohesively with respective staff and Board Committees to develop a strategic plan to ensure WINGS will successfully realize our mission and vision. The resulting draft of the strategic plan will express the importance of ensuring strong and sustainable programs, facilities, financial health and revenue generation with an emphasis on DEI across all strategic initiatives.

Since the Strategic Plan was adopted in FY22, the agency has made significant progress in all four initiatives.

Specifically in FY2023, WINGS accomplished the following results:
• Unprecedented sales at WINGS Resale - $2,727,879.
• State legislative leaders who enabled many opportunities. As a result, we were able to make several capital improvements at our Safe Houses to improve the conditions for survivors and staff.
• New state of the art counseling center to come. Thanks to the Foglia Family and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi for making this program for adults and children to heal from the trauma of domestic violence.
• National awards – WINGS is honored to receive 5 Purple Ribbon Awards this fiscal year. These awards reflect many aspects of our agency, showing how WINGS excels across the board:
o Lifetime Achievement Award – Rita Canning
o Best New Service Launch – Survivor Lifeline
o Outstanding Thrift Store of the Year - WINGS Resale
o Annual Report of the Year
o Survivor of the Year – Sarah McClarey
• Fifteen graduates, including three males, were celebrated at our Celebration of Courage this year. Graduates shared inspiring messages and WINGS impact on their journey to freedom. Many improved their financial stability. Their resilience, courage, and success continue to inspire us.