By Penny Hirsch and Barbara Shwom “Women helping women” was a key theme in Northwestern University’s March 3 online program “Voices Across Time: Sharing Women’s Experiences of Re-entry.” This program, hosted by Northwestern’s Block Museum as part of the school’s “One Book One Northwestern” focus, was co-sponsored by Women Initiating New Directions (WIND). The 2020-2021 One Book at Northwestern is...
Staying Positive and Being Right Where She Needs to Be
By Brooklyn Martner Denise has faced many obstacles throughout her life, but her strength and resilience shine through each and every day, and she is currently fourteen years sober. Denise is a fifty-five-year-old mother of two and grandmother of four who took advantage of all the resources available to her to turn her life around for the better. Denise believes,...
Life’s Work: How A Journey Through Addiction Led One Woman To Her Purpose
By Grace Gay Each one, teach one. Today, LaToya W.’s motto is “Each one, teach one,” meaning that every person should pay forward what they learn from others. She has spent the last decade doing just that as an Interim Housing Associate at Lincoln Park Community Services, working for the homeless community, after she herself had been homeless. Things were...
The Tool Box for Life: Finding Good in the World
By Grace Lemon “If you put good in, good is going to come back to you.” On July 27th, two of WIND’s volunteers sat down for a phone interview with 72-year-old Linda G. We spoke to her about her experience with the criminal justice system and the support systems that have helped her stay out of prison after she had...
Community Creates Change: Former Grace House Resident Speaks To Importance Of Connection
Lisa R. has faced many challenges but her life shows the incredible influence that community can have on you. She says in particular that “Everyone needs to heal from something, but people don’t know how to heal themselves.” Healing yourself is nearly impossible; Lisa needed a community to help her find that growth. Formerly a resident of Grace House, a...
Welcome to WIND
Welcome to WIND’s blog! WIND, or Women Initiating New Directions, is a non-profit focused on providing the tools to help women who have been incarcerated build a different future for themselves – a direction and focus that keep them from returning to prison and help them strengthen communities. Our goal as an organization is to support women in their transition...