A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park - Until Every Home Is a Safe Home

AND In the News

AND Holds 7th Annual Work Out To Wipe Out
Domestic Violence© Benefit Day

A New Direction powered up for the 7th Annual Work Out To Wipe Out Domestic Violence Benefit Day (WOWO), which was held on March 24, 2018. Organized by the GFWC IL Morgan Park Junior Woman's Club, and sponsored by Marquette Bank, BullPen Sports and Beverly Therapists, WOWO brought out a couple of hundred participants to various workout facilities in the neighborhood. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for AND and raise awareness about domestic violence. Thank you to all who supported the event. It was a huge success!

AND President Leads Trainings for New Anti-Domestic Violence Salon Program

AND Board President Jessica McCarihan has taken a leadership role in training salon professionals to recognize signs of domestic violence in their clients. For the last two years, Jessica taught the first wave of classes at the American Beauty Show in downtown Chicago. These classes are part of a Chicago Says No More program called Listen. Support. Connect., a program that is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and the world. The program is aligned with new Illinois legislation that requires salon professionals to participate in one hour of training to identify signs of domestic violence in their clients. This legislation was sponsored by State Representative Fran Hurley in the Illinois House of Representatives. To learn more about this important DV initiative, click here.

Ryan Honored with County Unsung Heroine Award

Cook County's Commission on Women's Issues recently honored Rita Ryan, AND's certified domestic violence counselor and legal advocate, with the Peggy Montes Unsung Heroine Award. Ryan was one of 18 honorees recognized for making important contributions to the greater good of the community and the County. Ryan has been a tireless advocate for victims of domestic violence for over 30 years. The award was presented to her by 11th District Commissioner John Daley and Ginger Rugai, a member of the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues. Attending the breakfast with Ryan were members of the AND Board and AND staff.

AND Pledges Support to "No More" Campaign

Pictured (l to r): Jennifer Welch, First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea and AND Board President Jessica McCarihan.

AND recently announced its support of ChicagoSaysNoMore, a local campaign to addressing the challenges of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Chicago Metro area. The campaign is part of the national NO MORE campaign started by leading advocacy groups, service providers, and major corporations. AND's Board President Jessica McCarihan was among attendees as the new campaign was introduced to the Chicago City Council. For more information about this campaign, visit www.chicagosaysnomore.org.

AND Seeks Donors Through Amazon Smile Program

Amazon smiles when you shop! No, really. Did you know that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchases to A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park? It's easy! Just click this AmazonSmile link before you begin shopping. Then select A New Direction as your charity. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love; same products, same prices, same AmazonPrime benefits. Your purchase simply helps Amazon help AND!

AND Awarded First Midwest Bank Grant

First Midwest Charitable Foundation recently awarded AND a $2000 community grant to help fund its domestic violence services. The grant is awarded to non-profits nominated by First Midwest employees. The goal of the program is to provide assistance to programs that improve the lives of women and children in the Bank's market area. Paul Sterk, and his wife Lu, submitted a nomination for AND. Sterk (pictured at left with AND staff) is a financial consultant at First Midwest's Oak Lawn branch office. He and his wife have been actively involved in supporting AND from its inception. The bank grant will be used to maintain and augment AND's services which include legal advocacy, children's therapy, and domestic violence education.