Nobody knows what happens behind closed doors.
What may look like an ordinary household on the outside can inside be a place of fear, control and abuse. For those experiencing domestic violence, finding a way out can sometimes feel impossible, especially when the person causing the harm is someone they love.
Here in the 19th Ward, A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park (AND) works to help survivors get out of those painful situations and remind them that no matter how close they are to their abuser, they do not deserve to endure lives dictated by fear.
AND provides domestic violence education, crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, referrals to trusted attorneys, as well as legal advocacy for survivors to navigate the family court system for divorces, orders of protection and child support.
In 2022, AND became a program of WINGS, the largest provider of domestic violence services in Illinois. And earlier this month, on Sept. 13, AND held its annual fundraiser at Cork & Kerry, with all proceeds going toward benefiting survivors.
Organized events like this are important; they’re a way to reach out to the community, enjoy an evening of bonding and raise money. But, that support should not end once the event concludes.
At any given moment, someone is experiencing domestic violence. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking at the hands of a partner.
However, abuse doesn’t always leave bruises. It’s also found in the harsh, belittling words spoken day after day or in the control that slowly isolates someone from friends, family, work and the life they once knew.
Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence; a relationship that once felt safe can turn into a source of fear in a heartbeat.
Supporting survivors cannot be limited to one fundraiser or one month of awareness. It takes a community that is willing to keep the conversation going and stand behind the organizations that help people find a way out.
Leaving an abusive relationship is rarely as simple as walking out the door. It requires planning, resources and support—all of which AND provides to people who may not have anywhere else to turn.
To learn more about volunteering or to make a donation, visit the website at wingsprogram.com.
