Did you know Sheltering Wings will mark 25 years of service in January?

If Sheltering Wings was a person, we’d be a young adult growing into our own, defining who we are in the world and who we want to become. Now, obviously, a nonprofit organization is not the same as a person, but our board has taken the time to reflect on our mission and refine the vision that we’ll follow into the next 25 years.

Thanks to you, Sheltering Wings has grown far beyond emergency shelter.

I’m really proud of the mom and two kids who recently moved out on their own into their own housing, and a friend’s daughter who reached out to a case manager to help with a protective order and just talk through the challenges that she’s facing. And the teen who, after attending a healthy relationship class at school, reflected on the changes they’re going to make in their own relationship.

These have all long been a part of our work, and now our mission statement better reflects this. Our purpose, values, and commitment to survivors remains the same. The new statements, it simply reflects the full continuum from prevention to response to lasting stability and independence. The mission statement answers the question: What is Sheltering Wings here to do?

Sheltering Wings works to prevent domestic violence, restore hope, and create pathways to safety and stability grounded in Christ-centered compassion.

And if our mission statement explains our purpose, the vision statement answers the question: What do we want the future to look like as a result of our work?

It’s a future that reflects the transforming love of Christ, where homes are safe, relationships are healthy, and survivors of every background live with hope and independence.

I love this vision. It describes community-level change survivors deserve.

Sheltering Wings isn’t becoming something different. We’re describing more clearly the work and growth your support has built over the past 25 years. I’m so excited for the future. Now we have an even clearer mission and vision of where we’re going together, and you’re the heart of this work. Nothing that’s happened here over the last 25 years would be possible without the faithfulness of the Lord and His work through your support, your love, and your prayers for the families we serve together.