Metropolitan Midway a Partner in the Chicago DFSS’ WINGS Metro Domestic Violence Housing Project
Metropolitan, WINGS and Greater Southwest Development Corporation form Collaboration
Metropolitan Family Services, WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) and the Greater Southwest Development Corporation are teaming up to help families of domestic violence through the WINGS Metro project, an initiative of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. The Mayor’s Office will announce the kick-off of the project at a press conference at the Metropolitan Family Services Midway Center May 29.
The “WINGS Metro” development will provide interim housing in the city’s Chicago Lawn neighborhood to survivors and their children fleeing from domestic violence. The project includes construction of a new 40-bed, suite-style domestic violence shelter designed for the highest levels of safety and comfort, as well as access to critical services, such as safety planning, legal services, support groups, and employment assistance. The facility is scheduled to open next summer and is expected to serve 100 families within the first year.
The city selected this partnership for its collective expertise. For more than 150 years, Metropolitan Family Services has been providing vital human services, counseling and legal services to empower Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential. WINGS is a leading domestic violence shelter provider helping women and children with housing and services since 1985. And, the Greater Southwest Development Corporation brings 30 years of experience to housing development.
Located in Chicago Lawn, the facility will provide support to victims in a region of the city that regularly has a high incidence of domestic violence calls to police and the domestic violence help line, but has no domestic violence shelters. The facility’s 40 beds will add significantly to the 112 domestic violence shelter beds currently in Chicago. According to the Chicago Police Department, officers respond to nearly 200,000 domestic-related calls annually in the city, which averages to more than 500 domestic calls every day.
The facility will be LEED-certified and include an income generating resale and/or coffee shop on the first floor, which also can serve as an employment training location.
WINGS Metro will be served by the Metropolitan Family Services Midway Center, a part of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Chicago’s leading human services organizations which brings hope and opportunity to more than 53,000 families and individuals each year.
About Metropolitan Family Services Midway Center
Since 1988, families at Metropolitan Family Midway Center have found strength and caring counsel to overcome incredible challenges. Metropolitan Midway, located on Chicago’s Southwest Side, is part of Metropolitan Family Services, which has been empowering Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities since 1857.