Women Inspired Network awards more than $11,000 to 3 area nonprofits

The Women Inspired Network, a charitable giving circle of local philanthropic women, recently awarded more than $11,000 to three area nonprofits at its annual Celebration of Giving at Illinois Valley Community College.

WIN grant recipients included the La Salle County Sheriff’s Chaplain Division, which received $4,500 to assist individuals or families immediately in crisis.

The program addresses urgent needs such as food, clothing and transportation.

“Our goal is to get victims to the next level of hope,” chaplain Dave Van Laar said.

Safe Journeys’ “Women Employed = Women Empowered” program received $4,500 for employment skills workshops for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Safe Journeys, formerly ADV/SAS, will teach clients how to write resumes, prepare for interviews and develop basic work skills. It also will help job-seekers secure child care and practice self-care.

“We empower women to live independently,” Safe Journeys Executive Director Susan Bursztynsky said.

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Seneca received $2,663 for its Packs for Pals, a program created six years ago to feed food-insecure students at six Seneca-area schools.

The program serves about 160 students during the school year and almost 100 in the summer. Our Savior pastor Kris Zierke said all churches in Seneca contribute.

“Our aim is simple: to feed children,” she said. “This grant will buy food for students.”

“We know these organizations are going to make life better for someone,” WIN Grants Committee Chair Debbie Buffington said of the 2023 recipients.

“These organizations demonstrate the resolve to continue their good work year after year, and they do it with integrity and compassion for the most vulnerable,” Starved Rock Country Community Foundation President Fran Brolley said.

Since its inception in 2016, WIN has awarded almost $90,000 to local nonprofits who support and enhance the lives of women and children in Starved Rock Country.

“Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s mission is to ‘connect people who care with causes that matter.’ That is what WIN is doing,” SRCCF and WIN co-founder Pamela Beckett said.

WIN offers a $200 annual membership in addition to Emerald memberships for $500 and Diamond memberships for $1,000. Any donation is appreciated, however.

For information, visit www.WINSRCCF.org or Facebook at Women Inspired Network – WIN.