Agency Details:

Sheltering Wings

Sheltering Wings was formed in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ. The Center will extend the love and compassion of Christ to women and their children in the desperate circumstances of domestic violence. Christ was never coercive or offensive, and neither are the services provided by the Center. Our assistance to any victim of any background will be offered in the name of Christ.

Description:
Sheltering Wings provides emergency housing for women and children suffering from any form of domestic abuse. We build stable and independent lives through essential programs offered in a supportive and Christ-centered environment.

Crisis management is one of the most important services offered by Sheltering Wings. Our crisis intervention is modeled after Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, developed by experts at Cornell University. Crisis staff and case managers will keep accurate notes and records of progress, setbacks, and accomplishments in each woman's confidential file.

All relationships in an abusive home suffer. Confusion and uncertainty about their relationships and future stability is determined by the amount of skills each family utilizes. There are several steps to rebuilding relationships and stabilizing lives, including family counseling, parenting classes, and legal action. Staff provide case management, legal advocacy, individual and group therapy services, education and job training/placement, and life skills groups.

It is well documented that the 3.3 million children who witness domestic violence suffer many forms of trauma. But the devastating effects often go unnoticed until it is too late. Children who witness abuse often face many short and long-term debilitating effects. Our children's program works with children to rebuild relationships damaged by abuse, teach them about healthy relationships, and minimize the likelihood that these children will enter into abusive relationships or become abusers themselves in the future.

Sheltering Wings recognizes that if domestic violence is going to end, the entire community must be aware of what it is, how to seek help, and what they can do to prevent it. Sheltering Wings reaches the community via quarterly newsletters, speaking opportunities, and a 30-day community awareness campaign.

History:
The story of Sheltering Wings begins with a call from God; a call to provide a safe place for women and children suffering from domestic violence in Hendricks County.

"Let me dwell in thy tent for ever! Oh to be safe under the shelter of thy wings!" (Psalm 61:4)

In 1999 a group from Cornerstone Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana identified the need to build a shelter and in April of 1999 Sheltering Wings Center for Women was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, under the tax exempt status of 501 (c)(3).

Sheltering Wings began serving clients even as the shelter was being designed by Quandt Engineers and Architects and built by Edwards-Rigdon Construction Company.

The generous investments of $650,000 from the Lilly Endowment, Hendricks County Community Foundation (formerly White Lick Heritage Community Foundation), Hendricks County Government, and the Hendricks County Community Development Corporation went to building construction.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, through Lincoln Federal Bank, donated $400,000 toward the construction of Sheltering Wings. Hendricks Regional Heath (formerly Hendricks Community Hospital), with the endorsement of the Hendricks County Commissioners, donated the land on the hospital campus where the shelter is built.

Construction began in March 2001 and was completed in October 2001. Sheltering Wings became operational in November 2001.

In January 2002 Sheltering Wings began providing 24-hour services and shelter to domestic violence victims. Since that time Sheltering Wings has served over 1,100 women and children with housing and has given resources to over 5,000 crisis callers.

Since opening, Sheltering Wings has operated at near capacity, serving between 11 and 15 families at a time.

Today, Sheltering Wings has an 9-member Board of Directors that represents Hendricks County. Just as Sheltering Wings began as a collaborative effort, support continues to come from more than 50 churches, 35 civic organizations, 60 businesses, and more than 600 individual contributors. This year alone, more than 190 different individuals have volunteered more than 8,000 hours of their time for the shelter. In addition, more than $100,000 in kind services were provided. Full community support is necessary to ensure Sheltering Wings' long-term success.

Contact person: Amy Willis, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 1-317-745-1497

Address:

P.O. Box 92 Danville, IN 46122

Web Site: http://shelteringwings.org

Last updated on June 18, 2009