I am so excited to give you a first look at our newly remodeled kitchen space. This space serves up to 68 women and children at any given time.

Just like in your own home, the kitchen is the heart of Sheltering Wings. It’s not just about meals. This is where friends support each other. This is where children play and craft and heal in safety. This is where students study and women crochet and survivors find peace. This is where we gather for resident meetings, celebrations and quality time together.

Now, our families have a beautiful space as they heal from the abuse they’ve experienced, build skills and start again.

Thanks to you, we have raised nearly $5 million dollars – 80% of our campaign goal.

And while we can pause to rightfully celebrate this new space, we can’t forget there is more work to be done and we’ll soon start work on the next phase.

The final $1 million is the most critical. These are extremely important dollars that will ensure that Sheltering Wings is here to support survivors for years to come – through whatever may come.

As I’m writing this, we have learned that our largest source of federal funding will be cut in the next grant cycle. That decrease could have a significant impact on how we are able to serve survivors. Other dollars used for housing and important programs are also at stake.

Because of your help through this campaign, we can plan carefully and responsibly for the future. We’re now forced to make critical decisions about future programs based on funding.

But, thanks to you, these decisions don’t have to be reactive. Your support means we can be thoughtful and strategic as we work with survivors to build paths to safety, stability, and independence through Sheltering Wings.

These new spaces are amazing and offer our current clients the opportunity to heal and hope. But the future funding we’re raising now will strengthen our programs and services for families who need us tomorrow and next year and 10 years from now.

Thank you for giving this gift to survivors. There’s still time to make your capital campaign gift here.

And, if you would like to see this new space in person, let me know. I would love to give you a guided tour.