GET HELP
KAN-WIN’s services are designed to empower immigrant survivors to tackle the unique and complex challenges they face and transition from crisis to long-term empowerment.
24 HOUR HOTLINE
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24 HOUR HOTLINE •
24 HOUR MULTILINGUAL HOTLINE
KAN-WIN operates a 24-hour multilingual hotline via bilingual staff and language interpretation.
KAN-WIN’s hotline is equipped to serve immigrant speakers of other languages through a language translator. It is usually the first point of contact for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Trained staff members and dedicated volunteers answer the crisis hotline 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. They respond to over 350 calls a year, listening to survivors in distress, assisting them in seeking help from abusive situations and directing them to services and programs.
THE HOTLINE ASSISTS SURVIVORS WITH:
Crisis counseling
Crisis intervention
Providing information about emergency and short-term shelters
Safety assessment
Referrals
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
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TRANSITIONAL HOUSING •
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Many immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are unable to escape violence due to the lack of affordable housing.
The housing market is smaller for them because many do not have the credit history or income source. Furthermore, limited English proficiency and having been isolated in an abusive relationship for an extended period of time hinders their ability to seek rental housing.
Through the Transitional Housing (TH) Program, KAN-WIN provides a variety of services as survivors strive to establish safe and stable homes free from violence.
THE PROGRAM ASSISTS SURVIVORS WITH:
Searching for affordable rental housing in communities which survivors desire to live in (based on their consideration of children’s school/day-care, employment, support systems, etc.)
Providing rental subsidy and utilities support for up to 24 months.
Building self-sufficiency through individual case management and financial empowerment strategies, including applying for scholarships to attend vocational schools, developing job skills, applying for public benefits, etc.
Regaining emotional stability and health through counseling one-on-one and/or in a group setting.
The TH Program can maintain up to 4 rental units in the City of Chicago and 1 rental unit in the suburban area, housing up to 15 women and children. Through this program, participants are given an opportunity to develop and implement a goal-oriented life plan towards permanent self-sufficiency. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please email the TH Program Coordinator at housing@kanwin.org.
LEGAL ADVOCACY
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LEGAL ADVOCACY •
LEGAL ADVOCACY
KAN-WIN’s Legal Advocacy Program is designed to empower immigrant survivors to exercise their rights and options.
Tasks like filing for protection orders, going to court, and finding an attorney can be extremely stressful for anyone. They are even more challenging for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault who speak little English and do not know much about the American legal system. Even dialing 911 for help can seem frightening for them, particularly if they fear deportation.
WE PROVIDE DIRECT CRISIS INTERVENTION AND ON-GOING LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, INCLUDING:
Informing survivors of their rights under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, the Violence Against Women Act, Illinois family law, immigration policies, and other relevant laws as well as the criminal and civil justice system.
Providing necessary support to overcome fear and emotional barriers to exercise their legal options and rights.
Providing support in obtaining emergency orders of protection and seeking relief for immigration and family law issues.
Helping survivors develop a safety plan for themselves and their children.
Accompanying and advocating for clients during legal proceedings.
Providing referrals to legal aid agencies and attorneys to ensure access to legal assistance for clients.
Operating a monthly legal clinic in partnership with North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.
CASE MANAGEMENT
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CASE MANAGEMENT •
CASE MANAGEMENT
Case management begins as soon as immediate crisis is averted.
When the client expresses interest in receiving ongoing services, the case manager discusses the client’s short and long-term needs and what types of services she may need. KAN-WIN provides culturally sensitive and comprehensive services with a staff capacity of Korean, Chinese, and English to women and children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. All programs are multilingual, confidential, and provided free of charge.
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Individual Counseling: KAN-WIN offers advocate counseling by licensed professionals and supervised interns to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors at no cost. The counseling helps survivors heal from their traumas and resolve underlying personal problems so that they may move forward with their lives.
Job Skills Development: Basic and intermediate computer classes, English tutoring, resume writing, interview skills, networking, etc.
Financial Empowerment Program: 8 weeks of financial management and self-empowerment workshops designed to empower survivors to understand and manage their finances. The program was originally developed by Allstate foundation. This workshop has been modified to assist Asian immigrant survivors.
Public Benefits: Assistance in applying for public benefits, if clients are eligible.
Case management provides comprehensive direct services to domestic violence survivors and empowers women to make informed decisions about ending violence in their lives. The caseworker and clients work as a team to discuss the client’s short-term and long-term plan. The ultimate goal of case management is to empower survivors to end violence in their lives and build long-term self-sufficiency.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS
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SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS •
SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS
KAN-WIN offers a support group throughout the year for women who have been affected by violence.
The support group provides opportunities for women to break out of isolation, connect with others, and recognize that they are not alone in their journey. It provides a safe and confidential forum for them to:
Express and explore challenges and issues they are experiencing.
Reduce isolation and connect with other women who share similar experiences.
Engage in various therapeutic activities that incorporate participants’ cultural backgrounds.
Gain information about issues related to health, financial literacy, and other helpful topics (e.g., we have provided informational sessions on self-care, the Affordable Care Act, credit building, career development, etc.)
Group meetings always begin with a warm meal, typically of Asian cuisine! They take place once a week in the evening at a location near public transportation.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
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CHILDREN'S PROGRAM •
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Children who grow up in violent homes are susceptible to a myriad of issues, including behavioral, social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of development.
KAN-WIN takes into consideration a child’s bicultural upbringing and provides a culturally sensitive and safe space for children to address their experiences of violence and assists them with developing the skills to cope with negative feelings and resolve conflicts without using violence.
THE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM WORKS WITH FAMILIES TO:
Strengthen parent-child relationships by fostering good communication skills, including mediating conflicts that may arise due to cultural generational differences.
Reduce feelings of shame, isolation, and self-blame.
Develop conflict resolution skills, self-esteem, and healthy socialization skills.
Create a safety plan.
THE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM OFFERS:
Case management
Individual counseling
Children’s support group
Educational and child care advocacy
Field trips and holiday parties
Follow-up services
Outreach and education
Information and referrals
CHILDREN’S ART ACTIVITIES
The Children’s Program as KAN-WIN offers various art and craft activities for our child clients throughout the year. These activities included Halloween mask-making, cookie decorating for the holidays, and individual and group art projects that explore the emotional terranes of our child clients. Some highlights include, “the tree of my heart” watercolor paintings, and the “we are not alone” mosaic group painting. See artwork below!
