Monday Motivation

Joan Staker of Time to Stage and Sue Lynk of Lynk Home Transformations, both in Illinois, just completed a Christmas decorating projects for WINGS (Women In Need Getting Stronger) shelter.
Joan sent the following story to share with SDP members:

    We were so inspired by Terry Grahl's story at the SDP Conference. She has made such a difference in so many women's lives at the Hopeful Haven Shelter in Michigan. Hearing Terry's story made us wonder what we could do to make someone's Christmas brighter. Both of us knew of WINGS in Chicago's Northwest suburbs. WINGS Program, Inc. provides shelter, education, guidance and support for abused and homeless women and their children.

    After checking on line, we contacted the Donations Coordinator, Dawn Martorano. We learned that there was a transitional home in need of holiday decorating. Women and their children stay in transitional houses for six months to two years, while they get on their feet, and learn to support themselves. Mothers move from a group transitional home to individual apartments after they have full time jobs and are able pay a portion of the rent. The WINGS mission statement is "to provide a continuum of integrated services, in an effort to end domestic violence and homelessness, one family at a time."

    One never knows how or when we might impact the lives of others. Collecting donations, Joan stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up theirs. A young woman working at the service desk asked what the Wings program was. It just so happens that the 22 year old mother of two, who works full time at Walmart, is homeless. Joan was able to get her in contact with the Wings crisis line. We hope she was able to get into one of their shelters. We'll contact her to see how she is doing. That synchronistic experience, alone, made contributing our time, service and resources to this project memorable.

    Many times we have read in the SDP Monday Motivation and been reminded that we are not only Decorators, Redesigners or Color Consultants, amazingly, we change people's lives, heal the human spirit, and influence how clients feel about their homes. That, to us, is worth more than a pay check. It is truly what our work it is about.

Sincerely,
Joan & Sue

More good news from Joan ... her niece is in the Top 10 Favorite Artists Contest with Kirklands. Vote for your favorite (Joan's niece is Angela Bartley)