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June 21, 2022 - Summer Solstice
Dear Friends of Magdalene House Chicago (MHC),
As the Board Chair of Magdalene House Chicago, and on behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff, I wanted to provide a brief update on the 2022 mid-year progress as well as needs as we continue to drive stability, growth, and funding for Magdalene House Chicago.
There is much to celebrate, share, and ask. I am pleased to say that under Ida Butler (Chief Operations Officer and Executive Director, previously Board Member) and in large part the support of our donors, we are operating at full speed against our strategic plan and squarely within our mission, with head and hearts fully committed to our vision. I’ve shared both here as a point of connection for all of us.
VISION: We seek an end to a culture that allows human beings to be bought and sold.
MISSION: Magdalene House Chicago, Inc. (MHC) is a home and enterprise for positive, personal change for women survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution, and addiction in the Chicagoland area. For women survivors, MHC promises the flexibility, advocacy, and humanity they need to heal and become leaders through its Residential Housing Program and justice enterprise.
MHC Residential Program Updates - Program is at 85%!!!
In May, 2022, three survivors entered the program; one survivor re-entered the program which we saw as a huge win for her, and for MHC. A fifth survivor entered the program in June. All were welcomed into their new home with open arms and are settling into the sanctuary of community.
Survivors are well into Phase I of the residential program, known as “Welcome to the Circle”, where new residents create individual recovery plans with Clinical Program Director Mikayla Vosler (previously Board Member, now full time) which will be utilized throughout their participation in the Magdalene House Chicago Residential Program.
Each resident has been connected to weekly individual therapy services and attends 8 personal development groups at the house weekly.
Case management is in full swing:
- Set up and started establishing PCP and psychiatrist support, therapists, and set up appointments with specialists
- Opened bank accounts
- Enrolled in Medicaid and EBT/food assistance programming
- Getting connected to other service providers - DCFS workers, lawyers, victims advocates, etc.
- New residents have had the opportunity to shop for shoes, clothing, and other essential personal items and receive a weekly stipend for food and incidental living expenses
If you have an interest in volunteering or donating in support of the operations of the home and residents' daily needs, please reach out to Ida@magdalenehousechicago.org or click here.
MHC Residential Program Needs
As part of MHC residents recovery program, new residents attend 90 twelve-step meetings in 90 days and maintain active enrollment in an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (IOP) following admission into Magdalene House Chicago Residential. To facilitate transportation to meetings and appointments, staff have been transporting residents in their personal vehicles or using ride-share services. The program is in need of a 7-8 passenger vehicle that will provide safe, reliable, and consistent transportation for the residents.
Please contact Ida@magdalenehousechicago.org, donate by mail, or click here to donate in support of this need.
Volunteers are needed to transport residents to and from evening and weekend twelve-step meetings. All volunteers are required to attend a training prior to volunteer service. The next MHC Volunteer Training will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 393 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. For more information, email info@magdalenehousechicago.org. To register, click here.
Staff Updates
The team is growing strong under Ida Butler’s leadership and her collaboration with the Board of Directors.
Maurae Gilbert McCants has joined the MHC Team as the new Financial and Operations Specialist. Maurae and Ida are working to ensure accurate and timely reporting of our finances. If you would like to learn more about Maurae, please reach out to Ida Butler, COO/Executive Director.
Jay Vettickal has joined the MHC Team as the new Grants and Donor Relations Specialist. Jay and Ida are working hard to leverage all MHC assets to secure a powerful set of grants for 2022-23. If you would like to learn more about Jay, or offer volunteer support, please reach out to Ida Butler, COO/Executive Director.
Paige Mooney has joined the MHC Team as the new Marketing and Social Media Specialist. Paige and Ida will be collaborating with the Marketing Committee on a bi-weekly basis to drive all communications efforts around events, needs, updates, public relations, social media and more in direct support of our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. If you would like to learn more about Paige, volunteer, or offer services please contact Ida Butler, COO/Executive Director.
Rachel Moody has joined the MHC Team as the new Case Manager. Rachel and Mikayla will be collaborating on best ways to meet residents’ daily needs and help clear away as many barriers through case management as possible so that the residents have the space to heal and thrive. If you would like to learn more about Rachel, please contact Mikayla Vosler, Clinical Program Director.
MHC Hiring Needs
As the program continues to grow, there are key areas where part time, hourly, or volunteer opportunities are needed (available). If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please reach out to Mikayla@magdalenehousechicago.org.
- Transportation Specialist
- Recovery/Peer Support Specialist
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Capacity Building (specific to grants) - Please reach out to Jay Vettickal at Jay@magdalenehousechicago.org.
Kicking Off the 2022 “Keeping the Light Lit” Gala
October 14, 2022
The Oak Park Country Club, River Grove
Our official Keynote Speaker has been secured and we are THRILLED to give a “behind the scenes'' peek before we publicly announce Yevette Christy as our 2022 Keynote Speaker. You can learn more about Yevette at https://www.yevettechristy.com/.
If you are interested in sponsorships before the official kickoff, please contact Mary Lawrence, Board Member, at Mary@magdalenehousechicago.org.
COMING SOON! We’ll have tickets and sponsorship packages available in the coming weeks.
Board Membership
Lastly, we have one opening for a Board member. If you or someone you know with strong fundraising experience is looking to join a powerful mission, please contact Brooke Foley at Brooke@magdalenehousechicago.org to learn about the Board member commitment and interviewing process.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff, and most importantly, the MHC Residents, I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read this note, to care about the mission, and for the contributions you make - daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.
I look forward to seeing everyone - if not sooner - on October 14! PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR THE REGISTRATION EMAIL COMING SOON!
Thank you for your generosity!
-Brooke Foley, Board Chair (2021-2023)
TO DONATE BY MAIL
MAGDALENE HOUSE CHICAGO, INC.
477 E BUTTERFIELD RD STE 107
LOMBARD IL 60148-5622
TO DONATE ONLINE
https://www.magdalenehousechicago.org/donate
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