A Message from Bonnie Stone
President and CEO, Women In Need

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 25 years since we opened the doors of our first homeless shelter in New York City. During this time, the statistics on homelessness may have fluctuated but the problem of homeless families still remains.  Today nearly 38,000 New Yorkers are in shelters—and these numbers reflect the highest levels of homelessness we’ve seen in decades, proving our work is important—now more than ever. 

 

WIN has served about 9,000 homeless and disadvantaged women and children in our area by providing basic needs we all take for granted. Shelter, childcare, supportive housing and counseling are just a few of the services WIN offers to families enabling them to become self-reliant and confident as they progress towards independence.  

 

Your support is invaluable and we hope you will join us in helping to change lives. 

 

 

Women In Need provides housing, help and hope to New York City women and their families who are homeless and disadvantaged. Through comprehensive programs such as shelter, supportive permanent housing, job training, domestic violence services, alcohol and substance abuse treatment and childcare, WIN offers the tools and guidance which allow our families to return to their communities and live independently.

 

Click here to learn how you can get involved and make a difference.

Yamaira and her children

Dawn's Story

Dawn was raised by a drug addicted mother and a step-father who physically assaulted her from a young age. After her repeated cries for help went unanswered, she ran away. Following a series of bad relationships, resulting in four children, Dawn, unable to hold a steady job, was evicted from her apartment.

 

Homeless and scared, Dawn and her children were placed in a WIN shelter. Given the trauma she experienced while growing up, her primary concern was the well-being of her children but she instantly felt at ease with WIN’s nurturing childcare staff who engaged her children in educational and recreational activities. Dawn quickly realized she had been given a second chance and knowing that, despite their circumstances, her children were safe and thriving, she was finally able to focus on herself.

 

She recently started a paid dental assistant’s program and hopes to find full-time employment in the next few months. Her goal is simple – provide a loving environment for her children and eventually having a place to call their own. With the support of WIN, Dawn knows these are within her reach.

 

Homeless families come to WIN from devastating circumstances with little hope. With your help WIN provides them with a safe place to stay and programs to rebuild their lives and gain independence.