All women deserve the opportunity to live fulfilling lives.
Women with a history of incarceration have the potential to change their lives for the better and stay out of the criminal justice system. WIND is here to help make that happen.
The Need
WIND was started to address the profound lack of support for women who are in prison or who have been released from incarceration in Chicagoland.
WIND provides the tools to help them build a different future for themselves – a direction and focus that keep them from returning to prison.
Who is helping the 1.9 million women released from prisons and jails each year?* WIND is and so can you! Please help create a new path and positive mindset for these women by donating today. We operate with an all-volunteer staff so your donation has the most impact.
*Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Corrections Reporting Program, 2013-2016.
Whether in a prison or jail or in court-mandated substance abuse programs, the number of incarcerated women has grown 875% since 1980 without a corresponding increase in funds allocated to programs that specifically address their needs.*
* Women’s Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie, 2019
News & Events
Please join us for a special event on March 3, 2021 6PM CST!
Come watch a free, live screening of a film and panel discussion about the experiences and challenges for women re-entering society after incarceration. “Voices Across Time: Sharing Women’s Experiences of Re-entry” is open for registration HERE. This Zoom event is co-sponsored by WIND and features a screening of a movie filmed at the recovery home, Grace House, where WIND runs its sessions. The evening will also feature a panel of women who will talk about their experiences during and after incarceration. Sally Nuamah, a Northwestern Professor, WIND facilitator and senior advisor, will moderate the event.
COVID UPDATE: WIND is running in-person workshops outside when possible and remotely when the weather does not permit outdoor gathering. We serve 40% more women each week now than we did pre-pandemic. Recently, 11 women earned a certificate of achievement for attending eight or more workshops during the fall.