WiNGS, Dallas, Texas, United States

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Founded in 1908, WiNGS (formerly the YWCA of Dallas) has served as a crucial bridge for women to arrive at a place of success and sustainability regardless of their starting point. For more than a century, WiNGS has helped empower women in the midst of change – first-time pregnancies, economic and financial crises or starting a new chapter – by providing the lift and support needed to carry them successfully into the next phase of their lives. Its mission is to empower women, fight poverty and impact generations. Financial coaches from the Economic Advancement program help clients chart an actionable path toward financial resiliency and broaden the women’s sense of what’s possible, targeting financial stability and independence to empower women to take control of their life. Nurses in WiNGS’ Nurse-Family Partnership program support first-time moms from pregnancy all the way through the first two years of motherhood, advocating for them and making sure they get the resources they need for them and their baby. Coaches go to extraordinary lengths in their service to clients, fostering relationships with them and putting their heart and soul into helping them move toward a bright, independent, financially stable future.

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WiNGS has played a critical role in supporting and empowering women who may be facing financial hardship or systemic poverty. Last year, WiNGS supported and empowered 1,840 clients. People of color made up 92% of clients and 79% earned an annual income of less than $38,000. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WiNGS staff, nurses, coaches and volunteers worked tirelessly to offer uninterrupted services tailored to each client’s needs and goals as they shifted to a fully virtual program delivery.

Clients in WiNGS’ Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program are first time, low-income moms. Each mom and baby enrolled in the program benefits from an average of 80 appointments over two and a half years. NFP nurses provide health, nutrition, social and emotional wellness support, resources and opportunities to the moms and babies they assist. About 80% of moms enrolled received prenatal care in their first trimester. Of the moms who gave birth this past fiscal year, 91% initiated breastfeeding, only 5% of babies were born pre-term and only 4% were born at a low birth weight.

The women served through WiNGS Economic Advancement program from 2020-2021 showed much improvement. For example, 73% of all clients with pre/post assessment showed improvement on the financial capability scale. Of clients with goals in savings, credit or debt – 74% showed increased savings, averaging a $1,434 increase; 60% increased their credit score, with an average 47-point increase; and 54% decreased their debt, with an average $5,583 in debt reduction.

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With the mission at the center of everything they do, WiNGS as an organization – from the staff and volunteers to the board and CEO – have banded together to ensure clients remain the true north of every decision. WiNGS’ key differentiation is in one-on-one, personalized support offered to each client. They walk alongside their nearly 2,000 clients on their journey – it is not a simple exchange of information or resources.

The pandemic exposed important issues of inequity within our communities, which WiNGS is actively working to address. Poverty is a cycle that is difficult to break, and the challenges of the past few years has affected some communities disproportionately. Last year, WiNGS launched their Southern Dallas Initiative, which includes strategic partnerships to bring WiNGS programming to the South Dallas community, an area of the city with little to no access to the kind of services the organization provides. Developed out of a strategic plan, the Southern Dallas Initiative transforms the organization’s mission of “walking alongside clients during a point of change” from a euphemism to a reality.

WiNGS provides services that target financial stability and independence to empower women to take control of their life. Instead of a handout, WiNGS provides a hand up so women can lift themselves and their families out of difficult circumstances. Regardless of the circumstances that bring a woman to WiNGS, she leaves in confidence with a brighter future for herself and her family.

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The Impact Report showcases the impact WiNGS had on women in North Texas during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. In addition, the best way to depict WiNGS’ services is through client testimonials. Jacqueline Green is just one example of one of the many beneficiaries of the organization’s programming. She first got involved with WiNGS when she was pregnant. Through the Nurse-Family Partnership program, she received prenatal care and support from a registered nurse to deliver a healthy baby. Her nursing care continued through her baby’s second birthday with over 60 in-home visits focusing on health, nutrition, social/emotional development and parenting skills. Jacqueline then embraced WiNGS Economic Advancement programming that included financial literacy, financial one-on-one coaching and career development. She learned how to better manage household finances and build financial wealth, and in turn, transformed the trajectory of her child’s future. 

In September 2021, WiNGS hosted the Virtual Speaker Panel, which featured Dena L. Jackson, PhD, of Texas Women’s Foundation, Andy Keller, PhD, of Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and Daria Offord of WiNGS. The panelists discussed how the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues and how they especially impacted women of color. With 92% of WiNGS clients being women of color, the organization’s work is nothing short of crucial. Through the understanding that virtual education and coaching maintains strong outcomes and increases engagement opportunities, WiNGS created its Southern Dallas Initiative. With more access to services without travel time/cost or childcare, there was a spike in coaching and education uptake.