Women In Need, Inc. (Win)

Check me out in the news (en español)! Please share with your Spanish-speaking networks. En 2024, más de 130.000 personas durmieron en un refugio para personas sin hogar de la ciudad de Nueva York, una crisis que afecta de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades negras y latinas, debido a la discriminación y exclusión históricas y continuas de la vivienda, la educación, el empleo y las oportunidades de creación de riqueza. Aproximadamente 70% de las personas en los refugios de NYC son familias con niños. Entre 2021 y 2024, la proporción de personas latinas sin hogar en refugios creció del 34% al 56%. Los rápidos cambios demográficos en los refugios de la ciudad de Nueva York fueron conducido por la afluencia de recién llegados, la mayoría familias con niños de América Latina. La vivienda pública y la asistencia para el alquiler son recursos vitales para los latinos, ayudando a decenas de miles de neoyorquinos a evitar el desalojo o salir del refugio cada año.  Ayer las organizaciones que apoyan a personas sin hogar y de bajos recursos hablaron con el Congresista Adriano Espaillat sobre los riesgos que los recortes de la administración del presidente Trump tendrán en estas comunidades, cómo empeorarán la crisis de personas sin hogar, y como podemos apoyar y defender a las familias que dependen de estos programas federales de vivienda, salud, alimentos y otros.

Today, Win had the privilege of hosting “Sheltering NYC: The Impact of Federal Cuts on Persons Experiencing Homelessness,” a roundtable convened in partnership with Congressman Adriano Espaillat and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as part of National Housing Week of Action.   This timely discussion brought together advocates, grassroots leaders, and policymakers to address the urgent threat posed by proposed federal cuts to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump Administration. Participants shared insights and explored collaborative solutions to protect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard housing resources and the social safety net that so many families depend on. As we face unprecedented challenges to housing stability in New York City, it is more important than ever for our community to unite, raise our voices, and advocate for policies that ensure every New Yorker has a safe place to call home. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this vital conversation and for your ongoing commitment to protecting our city’s most vulnerable residents.

Join us for the 29th Annual Way to Win Gala on May 7th, 2025! Reserve your spot now: https://lnkd.in/e-EMMmrN

In New York City, nearly a third of families in shelter include at least one working adult earning $40,000-$50,000—but even these wages can't keep up with the city's affordability crisis. These individuals are teachers, city workers, airport staff, and home health aides, and are essential to the city’s daily operations - yet are priced out of the housing market due to stagnant wages and soaring rents. One of the individuals featured in this story is Win client Ruth R., a dedicated family advocate who helps others navigate homelessness while experiencing it herself. Read the full story in The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/dH3EbArp

On Monday, Win hosted its inaugural Beauty and Barber Lounge event. Moms, kids, and teens gathered to learn about haircare, protective styles, and maintenance techniques—while enjoying self-care services like haircuts, braiding, manicures, and more. Watch our full feature on PIX11 news: https://lnkd.in/ePhy_Z8b

We are excited to highlight an editorial effort that amplifies the conversation around family homelessness while reinforcing Win’s mission to support families in shelter with essential services and resources.   Jessica Katz, a valued member of Win’s board, recently contributed an impactful op-ed to Vital City titled “The Nonprofit Model of Social Service Delivery Makes Sense for New York.” In this piece, Jessica explores the strengths of the nonprofit sector in providing social services and offers actionable recommendations to enhance the system. Her work emphasizes the critical role of organizations like Win in combating homelessness and supporting families in need. We are grateful for thought leadership like Jessica's, which is driving crucial discussions on how to optimize the nonprofit contracting model and improve solutions for family homelessness and social services. https://lnkd.in/epEEmcx4

A few weeks ago we held #mockinterviews for Women In Need, Inc. (Win) ‘s Income Building Program class of parents who are learning, and most importantly putting into practice, the skills they’ll need to find a job that will ultimately put them on the path towards financial independence. Not only did the WIN Clients sit across some of our fearless executives (of which all but 1 were #women that day might I add), they also got to take home a head to toe look with a full 3 piece suit from The Donna Karan Company, LLC. to wear to their future interviews. They alsok got to shop for accessories and enjoy lunch with their peers and with volunteers to further chat about the possibilities that are open to them. This would not have been possible without the incredible work that Whittaker W. and his team @dr.howardhinds Katie Masi among others, do on a daily basis to help set up these families for success once they leave WIN. And of course without the incredible support of G-III Apparel Group , and the dedication of its employees to help the communities in which they live. Thank you to EVERYONE who volunteered for this event- keep inspiring those around you to give back! ❤️ A special shoutout to Pia Belmonte & @laurenmcclain without whom I couldn’t have pulled this off! Shoutout to ALL of the WIN Clients who showed up for themselves that day, in order to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Today, members of the NYS Cash Alliance are in Albany hosting our first-ever “Power of Cash Advocacy Day” and calling on New York’s leadership to step up their efforts to end poverty by getting unconditional cash into the hands of New Yorkers most in need. Throughout the day, members of the Alliance will meet with legislators to bring additional attention to the state’s growing economic crisis, while also highlighting the ability of direct cash to meet this moment. The day’s events will culminate in a rally at 2:15 in front of the Million Dollar Staircase. #PowerofCash #Cashforall #GI4NY

We are excited to announce that Win’s silent auction in support of our Impact Party is officially live! This is your exclusive opportunity to bid on luxury experiences while supporting a great cause. How to get involved: 1. Browse the Auction: https://lnkd.in/ecrDqHWS 2. Place Your Bids: Explore a curated selection of items and place your bids on the experiences that interest you. 3. Share with Friends and Family: Anyone can participate—spread the word and invite others to join in. Don’t miss out on this chance to support Camp Win and secure something special. 

On Thursday, February 20th, we had the privilege of hosting the “Pass the Mic” panel discussion in celebration of Black History Month, exclusively for Win staff.   Our amazing panelists — Wynter Allen, SVP & General Counsel; Henry Love, PhD, VP of Public Policy; and Renee Robinson, Director of Payroll — shared their personal career journeys, insights on resilience and allyship, and discussed this year’s Black History Month theme: Black People and Labor.   It was a powerful conversation that brought us closer together as a community and deepened our understanding of the importance of support, solidarity, inclusion, and allyship.   The discussion reminded us that true leadership is about showing up authentically, leading with integrity, and creating opportunities for others to thrive. It also highlighted how critical it is to support and amplify each other’s voices.    A big thank you to our panelists for making this session so memorable!