HR0813 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0813 LRB099 14780 MST 38932 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, WINGS started in 1985 as a grass roots effort led by a handful of people to locate affordable housing in the north and northwest suburbs; during their search, they learned that women and children were a major component of the homeless and the reason for their homelessness was domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, With a strong belief in helping others and a commitment to making this a better world for those who were in need, a non-profit organization was incorporated under the name "Housing & Shelter Program" and set out to fund raise; as the years progressed, more women called for assistance and the name of the organization was changed to WINGS Program, Inc., an acronym for Women in Need Growing Stronger; and

WHEREAS, The organization began acquiring houses and apartments so the homeless and abused women and children had a place to live; staff were hired to provide counseling, guidance, and support to the residents, and the phone never stopped ringing; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 30 years, WINGS has provided 10,000 women and children with more than 600,000 nights of shelter and is in the process of opening its second domestic violence safe house this winter; and

WHEREAS, WINGS will hold its Purple Ball on October 17, 2015 in Schaumburg; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the valuable work being done by WINGS and thank them for their contribution to the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to WINGS as an expression of our esteem and respect.