Sheltering Wings is often not the first responder when abuse occurs. You are. Do you know what you will say when someone in an abusive situation from your community comes to you for help? Do you have a policy in place at your church to equip you and your staff? We want to help.
Were you like me? When I heard about Sheltering Wings, I knew very little about the issues facing victims of domestic abuse. I thought that the work of the shelter was important and I was glad that there were people doing that work. I thought that attending to victims and doing the work of prevention was the job of the shelter and their partners and they were doing that work over there.
I only had part of the picture. I had no idea (admittedly, thankfully) how much you, me or other loved ones, leaders, etc. need to be ready. Since joining the team at Sheltering Wings six months ago, my eyes have been opened to just how common domestic abuse is in our community and our churches. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetimes. That means people in your church and on your block need help escaping an abusive partner or healing from abuse from the past. It also means that more people we care for will be abused in the future.
That is why we have launched www.freedomideserve.com and have revamped our church leadership and congregational trainings. These resources are free of charge and for you and your church to be equipped to best serve and care for your community. You can sign up for a training or info session here.
A great place for you and your congregation to start is to participate in Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. We have a whole list of activities on our website at www.shelteringwings.org/dvap. We also have a “Campaign in a Box” with materials you can share online, in your bulletin, and on site.
We are partners in this work as we walk alongside survivors on their journey to stability and healing. We couldn’t do it without your faithful work.
Grace and peace,
P.S.
We need your help in filling a couple of key positions that serve our residents. We just completed a video that shares what it’s like to be a part of the ministry here at Sheltering Wings. Would you take a moment to think and pray about who in your congregation might be a good fit for our team? You can find our open positions here.
We Are Hiring!
If you are passionate about helping others and are seeking a rewarding career, please consider joining our team! We have multiple full-time and part-time positions available!
Schedule Training Today
Do you have a group that would like to learn more about domestic abuse and how to solve it as a community? We have speakers available to come to you and share about the impact of domestic abuse and how you can help those in need. All trainings are customizable to fit your organization’s needs.
It Doesn’t Have to be This Way
As masks come off, men and women trapped in abuse will need someone to talk to. The first words they hear can make a critical difference in the next steps they take. Are you ready with a response to help them find safety and freedom?
