WIN is one of the largest providers of both shelter and supportive housing to homeless families throughout New York City each night. Thousands of women and their children sleep in WIN's transitional shelters and supportive housing units each night. We provide a safe, clean, independent place for a family to be together while they work to repair their lives. Adding further stress to these families, many come to WIN without anything--including clothing, baby supplies, furniture or domestic essentials. Upon entering a WIN shelter, families receive critical supplies for themselves and items to help them create a suitable environment until they find permanent housing.
Jessica's Story
Jessica lived in a Queens housing project. At 13 her stepfather became emotionally and physically abusive. She ended up in a juvenile residential treatment facility by 15. She returned home, getting kicked out when she became pregnant.
After giving birth, she and her daughter entered foster care, transferring from home to home. Right before aging out of foster care, she gave birth to her second daughter. Her social worker put her in touch with WIN.
Jessica states: “If it wasn’t for WIN I would’ve had nowhere to go. I lived in a shelter for about two and a half months while waiting for an apartment in WINs program. Then my first daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. I was so scared. Luckily, WIN was right by my side. They helped me get through the bureaucracies and made sure my daughter got the treatment she needed.”
Today they live in an apartment, continuing WIN counseling. Jessica studies criminal justice online and plans to be a Crime Scene Investigator. Her eldest daughter is doing well, is about to start school, and has a year left of chemotherapy.
Your support allows WIN to provide the tools for homeless families to transition from shelter to independent living.