April 07, 2020
CONTACT: Emily Wingate, [email protected], 469-767-1689
WiNGS Adapts to Meet Vital Needs of Dallas Community Amidst COVID-19
Personalized coaching and resource matching help to provide actionable steps to recovery
DALLAS – WiNGS offers robust and immediate solutions to women in our community as we address their urgent and significant needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Through free and vital programs and services, like one-on-one coaching and personalized resource assistance, WiNGS is positioned to help those in need navigate this crisis.
Prior to the onslaught of COVID-19, WiNGS (formerly the Dallas YWCA) has had a 112-year history of empowering women to lift themselves out of poverty and adversity, while imagining a new chapter for themselves and their children.
With shelter-in-place directives, WiNGS has continued its services uninterrupted while delivering them virtually through one-on-one coaching video calls and webinars. WiNGS has pivoted the content of the programs to address the needs of our clients and community, providing practical, tactical resources and guidance.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the WiNGS team has worked diligently to ensure that we stay connected with our members, and that our resources and services are adapting to meet the urgent needs of our community,” said Kate Rose Marquez, CEO of WiNGS. “We know our community is in crisis mode and our staff, volunteers and coaches are available to help match people with the right tools to help them move forward during this time of uncertainty and instability.”
WiNGS is providing uninterrupted, free services to the community while the WiNGS Center at Ebby’s Place is temporarily closed to ensure our members, volunteers and staff’s safety. Some of those services include:
- The WiNGS Crisis Line – The WiNGS Crisis Line – 214-956-5901 – is available to anyone in the community to ensure those in need are getting the resources they need. A crisis staff member will be available six days a week to help navigate people through the various resources that are available – connecting them to both tangible resources and services provide by WiNGS. Help is available in English or Spanish.
- 1:1 Coaching – Individualized coaching is available for resource support, financial advising, small business support and career development. While the financial coaching is traditionally geared towards growing assets, WiNGS financial coaches have pivoted to asset retention and helping those that are in financial survival mode. Whether a client needs to triage her small business or figure out how to pay the mortgage this month, coaches will work with members to create an action plan with achievable goals and check in periodically along the way. Clients can schedule a free one-on-one session to discuss immediate resources, financial challenges, employment or small business challenges now.
- Nurse-Family Partnership – With shelter-at-home policies, mothers of babies have less access to support and health services during a time of added vulnerability. Through the Nurse-Family Partnership, registered nurses form relationships with new moms to ensure their babies are healthy and they have the resources they need. During times of crisis this check-in, now done through telehealth appointments, is crucial to ensure moms have critical resources like diapers and formula, as well as to ensure the safety of mom and baby during this time of heightened stress.
- Webinars – WiNGS has transformed class offerings to a virtual webinar format and shifted to topics crucial to right-now needs, like navigating resources, the legal impact of COVID-19 and how to negotiate things mortgage payments and employer leave terms.
- The WiNGS Resource Guide – WiNGS has compiled a resource guide to help people make sense of the rapidly evolving resources and information during the coronavirus crisis. The WiNGS team works with partners to keep this up to date with the latest on everything from childcare, to food and supplies, to unemployment and small business support.
Crisis can often cause people to freeze, and the severity of coronavirus has left people asking about their jobs, homes and next meal. The unique personalization of WiNGS coaching and crisis response can help provide people with the tools they need to get from day to day and week to week.
To learn more about the resources WiNGS is providing or stay up-to-day with their efforts throughout COVID-19, please visit ascenddallas.org, or visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. Please support WiNGS’ programs that provide critical services and supplies to families by donating.
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About WiNGS
Founded in 1908, WiNGS offers robust and immediate solutions to women in the Dallas community, constantly evolving to meet women’s changing needs. Formerly the Dallas YWCA, WiNGS has a long history of empowering women to lift themselves out of poverty and adversity, while imagining a new chapter for themselves and their children. They provide a tailored suite of services and resources – including Financial Coaching, the Women’s Enterprise Center and the Nurse-Family Partnership – to help women gain confidence and skills needed to start a new chapter, a new business or a new family. ascenddallas.org