Connections for Abused Women and their Children

Chicago cannot afford to turn families away from safety, but with limited shelter beds available, there may be no other option. That’s why CAWC’s Safe Night Fund is so critical – and why your support matters urgently. With the city’s need for shelter increasing year after year, and as one of the few local agencies providing emergency shelter, CAWC is working to raise $15,000 to ensure families have a safe place to turn when shelter is full. And with a generous match opportunity, your gift can go twice as far!

We are so close to our goal, and we need YOU! Visit us at www.cawc.org/safe-night-fund to ensure safety is accessible for survivors!

Agencies that support victims of gender-based violence are under threat to lose significant funding, and we cannot afford further disruptions to the services that save and protect survivors lives. We urgently need your help to pass the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act - contact your Senators and tell them to pass the CVFSA now at https://nnedv.org/take_action/take-action-today-urge-senate-leadership-to-pass-the-crime-victims-fund-stabilization-act/.

Happy Pride Month! CAWC stands with the LGBTQ+ community. Love should be safe and supportive for all.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse in their home or intimate relationships, please reach out to us for help anytime. Call CAWC's 24/7 Hotline for resources and support: (774)278-4566.

Your mental health matters! If you're feeling down or not like yourself, take a moment to slow down and identify some self care tips that might help you feel more centered. There are many things you can do to honor your emotions and take care of your body, like journaling, stretching, or calling a friend.

As Illinois and the city of Chicago continue to see an increasing need for domestic violence shelter, it becomes even harder for agencies like CAWC to meet survivors where they are and provide emergency support. Thanks to our partners at The Network - Advocating Against Domestic Violence and their diligent work with their Measuring Safety data reports, we can see just how critical our services are year after year - and what sort of programs will make a difference. That's why CAWC created our Safe Night Fund, allowing more survivors to access safety and wraparound support by securing emergency hotel stays. We don't need to be limited or turn families away from safety, and that's what the Safe Night Fund is all about.

To support CAWC's Safe Night Fund and see if your gift can qualify for a match, visit www.cawc.org/safe-night-fund.

CAWC understands the importance of mental health services when a survivor of domestic violence calls our hotline or walks through our doors. That is why our trauma informed therapy programs aim to make a substantial impact in our clients' lives in three key ways: enhanced emotional recovery, empowerment and autonomy, and improving parental skills. To learn more about our work in the intersection of mental health and domestic violence, visit www.cawc.org.

Chicago is facing a growing crisis in access to domestic violence shelter. It’s the most requested—and most urgent—need, yet with limited beds across the city, CAWC’s Greenhouse Shelter is at capacity nearly every night.

When a mother reaches out in crisis and there isn’t a bed available, our Safe Night Fund becomes her lifeline, providing emergency hotel stays and immediate access to the services that can help her and her children move toward safety and stability.

That’s why this fund is so critical, and why your support is urgently needed.

We’re working to raise $15,000 to ensure families always have a safe place to turn, even when shelter is full. With your help, we can provide 100+ nights of emergency shelter and essential services for families in crisis—and thanks to a generous match, your impact can be doubled.

Help us ensure no family is turned away from safety. Safe Nights start with YOU.

💜 Support CAWC's Safe Night Fund: www.cawc.org/safe-night-fund.

It has been one year since Karina's Law went into effect in Illinois - a milestone in strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence! Karina's Law addresses the dangerous link between fi****ms and domestic violence, requiring law enforcement to temporarily remove fi****ms from individuals served with an order of protection and hold them while the order is active.

After years of advocacy, CAWC is proud to celebrate the impact of this life-saving legislation and the ongoing work to improve Illinois' response to domestic violence.

Thank you to CD Peacock for making Mother's Day one to remember for our Greenhouse residents! From the delicious brunch and stunning bouquets, to the coloring station for children to craft a personal gift for their moms, your thoughtfulness and generosity allowed the families we serve to celebrate Mother's day surrounded by joy, connection, and care.

Thank you, CD Peacock, for helping create meaningful moments and precious memories for survivors who are facing the most difficult times of their lives. Your support goes far beyond a single celebration - your support is making a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.

Thrifting just got even better! You can support survivors of domestic violence while rummaging through a vast collection of valuable and vintage goods at Winnetka Congregational Church's Spring Rummage Sale! All proceeds from the rummage sale are awarded to various local social service agencies that make an impact in their communities - agencies like CAWC.

We are incredibly thankful to Winnetka Congregational Church for being a committed partner and friend to CAWC. Over the years, your support has helped us reach countless survivors and their families with wraparound services to help them rebuild their lives after abuse. Thank you for all your support and kindness!