Individuals and groups have shown incredible in support of the Wings of Hope Campaign that is making possible the grant to build the Donald W. Reynolds Family Crisis Center in Stillwater, and we are deeply grateful. This secure state of the art facility with its increased capacity opens the door for a new era of service to victims and their dependent children. But we have not finished. What is even more important than a sound facility about which the community can be proud, is what happens within its doors.

For over 31 years the Board and staff members have constantly focused on what happens IN the building: counseling women, offering them refuge and doing these things with compassion, patience, encouragement and dignity. Providing these women with some new skills, resources and even food - many of these women and children arrive with only the clothes on their backs. We've seen children clinging to the only toy they were able to grab on her chaotic way out the door. Often the first time they are able to talk about living in a car, hiding or witnessing abuse is in our shelter.

 As we complete construction and move services into the new facility, we still have the challenge of funding the life-changing activities that take place inside. For the past several years, we have had to turn away individuals because of a lack of space. We now have increased space, but these individuals need more than a place to sleep, they need support and resources for rebuilding lives free of abuse and violence.

For the past fourteen years, Dr. Ralph Lindsey has led the agency with a focus on increasing funding from outside the community through grants. This emphasis will continue. The Elite Repeat Resale Store and the Stillwater Area United Way along with the Kappa Delta Sorority have led the community in supporting work with victims and their children. We receive modest support from individuals, churches, and other groups, for which we are thankful. And again, we can’t say “thank you” enough for support of the Wings of Hope Campaign. But now the time has come to strengthen ongoing community support as well.

We are planning a spring fundraising event to celebrate our transition into this new era of service and to begin building a foundation for annual support of services. We hope you and your group will participate. More information will be coming, but in the meantime, mark your calendar for:

Women with Wings

“A Monarch Event”

March 29, 2012

ConocoPhillips Alumni Center