Letters from Kelsey & Lindsay

(Kelsey)

My name is Kelsey, and I’m a Direct Care Worker at Wings of Refuge, working in the

Restoration Home. I joined the Wings team three years ago this past September, and I still can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by.

I wanted to give you a glimpse into what my role looks like on a day-to-day basis. I work the

night shift in the home, and I’ve learned that no two evenings are ever the same. Some nights are filled with laughter, excitement, meaningful conversations, and teachable moments—and some nights are just plain hard. I’ve learned that healing journeys often feel like a roller coaster ride, full of unexpected highs and lows, twists and turns and as staff at Wings, we choose to raise our hands and say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

Some of my favorite moments in my role are when I get to see the participants experience

something for the very first time and oftentimes it’s something I’ve taken for granted in my own life. Some of those firsts have been going out to eat, going to the movies, going to a Super Bowl party and a New Year’s Eve party. I’ve helped the women learn how to ride a bike, ride a horse, mow the yard, set up a bank account, get a driver’s license, and look for a good used car. I’ve done my best to be a fashion consultant, a makeup artist, a tutor, a beautician, and a cook. But I’ve also been with the women during some of their most difficult moments. I’ve taken them to the emergency room, visited them in the hospital, sat with them as they’ve grieved some really hard things. There have even been times I’ve had to call 911 during some really scary situations.

And yet, through it all, I’ve learned some really important lessons from the women. They’ve

taught me how to have hard conversations, to be the first one to apologize, how to accept

feedback, that boundaries are a good thing, how to listen and ask questions instead of trying to fix it, and most importantly, how to lean on Jesus with everything I’ve got.

Your ongoing support makes a tremendous difference. Knowing that there are people who

believe in this work and stand with us encourages us to keep going. Thank you for being part of this mission of restoration and hope.

With gratitude,

Kelsey

Direct Care Staff, Wings of Refuge

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(Lindsay)

Working with participants at Wings is the hardest and most rewarding work I've ever engaged with, and I say that as someone whose full-time career for 15 years has been in higher education with non-traditional students. Every day has both familiarity and challenge: we have beautiful systems in place at Wings for healing and growth, and yet--healing and growth is messy. What we do on paper, and what outsiders may see, is so much better and harder in real life at the Restoration Home and the TLC. On any given day we have participants with severe mental, emotional, and spiritual crises; we walk through addiction, anger, fear, unimaginable grief, and hope with these women. The full range of the human experiences God offers to us is present at Wings. 

I feel enormously grateful that I'm able to serve women here where I can be myself--in mutual brokenness--and where I see God's handiwork in literally every interpersonal situation. Every interaction offers lessons in humility and service. At Wings I'm challenged to have excellent boundaries, be very knowledgeable about policies and procedures, and how to practice that in the context of love and spiritual growth. 

Most importantly, I have never worked somewhere where I felt so supported, welcomed, and loved. Every single colleague of mine here has my back and I hers. I respect Wings' commitment to open communication and employee well-being; I've fostered wonderful relationships with people like our spiritual director (whom Wings offers consistent access to) and colleagues in every area, from Direct Care to Education to Leadership. I know I could approach any employee here with a concern and I would be met with honesty and openness. That is simply so rare. Perhaps what I love most about Wings is every single woman's commitment to the integrity and growth of the organization and everyone in it. We truly care for one another (participants and colleagues), and we show it every day. God is present here.

Warmly,

Lindsay,

Direct Care Staff, Wings of Refuge