Services & Programs for Empowerment

Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.

Services that Make a Difference

Maria Shelter
Transitional Shelter Services for Women and Children
Believe Shelter
Transitional Shelter for Families
Vincenne’s Senior Center
Community Center for local Seniors

Maria Shelter

Maria Shelter is a 50-bed interim shelter in the Englewood community for primarily for homeless women and their children. Each year, the facility provides food, shelter and programs to promote health and wellness and self-sufficiency for more than 200 women and children.

Believe Shelter

As a result of IWT’s exemplary operation of Maria Shelter, in July 2012 our organization was asked by the City of Chicago to assume operation of a second shelter located in South Chicago. Named Believe, this 50-bed program expanded the agency’s services to include families headed by fathers and intact families due to the emergence of this as a major need since the economic downturn. Each year, Believe serves more than 200 women, children and men.

Vincennes Senior Center

Margaret’s Village’s Vincennes Senior Center offers social and recreational activities, educational opportunities, and nutritious meals to over 100 seniors. The Senior Center was established to help the older residents of the Englewood community remain independent and avoid social isolation. Notably, some of our programs such as art and music therapy are collaborations with Maria Shelter and, thus, intergenerational in nature.

Programs of empowerment help residents transition to productive lives. Here’s how:

When a new resident arrives, our on-site case managers provide holistic and individualized services such as care coordination and referrals for legal assistance.
Through partner agencies including Cara, Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago, Jane Addams Resource Corp. and others, we facilitate job training, coaching and employment placement.
We coordinate with the University of Chicago Medical Center (partners of the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago-College of Dentistry) to provide free medical and dental services.
Spirits are lifted when program participants enjoy music and art therapy, as well as attend writing workshops which promote healing and improve communication skills. Our expressive arts programs are a superb method of reaching those impacted by trauma, and often unresponsive to other types of therapies.