Organization Provides Assistance To Survivors Of Domestic Violence

Loné Williams is the Founder of Love & Protect Wisdom, which she founded to bring resources to survivors of domestic violence and the families of domestic violence victims. Photo provided by AppreyPR.
Loné Williams is the Founder of Love & Protect Wisdom, which she founded to bring resources to survivors of domestic violence and the families of domestic violence victims. Photo provided by AppreyPR.

Organization Provides Assistance To Survivors Of Domestic Violence

By Tia Carol Jones

Loné Williams has a folder with stories of domestic violence in it. Each time a story comes across her phone, she screen shots it and puts it into a file. She said there are so many people who have lost their loved ones due to domestic violence. She said some people make it out, but some people do not.

Williams’ mother was a victim of domestic violence, and she is also a survivor. She said she wishes there was someone like her when she was going through her domestic violence situation, doing the work to bring awareness and providing resources and support to survivors. In July of 2023, Williams founded Love & Protect Wisdom, a month after her mother’s death as a way to shine a light on domestic violence and support survivors.

Williams and Love & Protect Wisdom will host the “Tower Over Domestic Violence Fundraiser” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20th, at VU Rooftop Bar, located at 133 E. Cermak Road. During the week of Oct. 20th, through Oct. 26th, at the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center and the Prudential Building will be lit purple as part of the “Towers Over Domestic Violence” campaign.

As a firefighter, Williams has also seen people in domestic violence situations and understands how important it is to bring awareness to it. She said survivors and victims’ families really need help and support. She clarified that those who have died as a result of domestic violence are considered victims, and those who have experienced domestic violence, still in the situation or not, are considered survivors. She has supported the families of domestic violence victims and has partnered with a law firm to offer legal assistance. She has also donated Ring cameras and care packages.

Love & Protect Wisdom also offers healing programs, youth workshops and has safety initiatives. The healing programs, Pampered and Empowered and Untangled are meant to provide safe spaces for survivors to heal and share their stories. A Pampered and Empowered Event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct.19th. During that day, survivors will be able to receive self-care services including henna, massages and nails. There will also be makeup workshops and skincare workshops.

Williams said throughout the year, Love & Protect Wisdom partners with community organizations to provide workshops. She said the goal is to be more proactive than reactive. She said she has noticed, in doing the workshops, that it has been more reactive because a lot of young people have already seen domestic violence in the home. Williams said she came up with the idea for the “Tower Over Domestic Violence” campaign because people might not know that October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Her goal was to have the Chicago skyline lit up purple for at least one day out of the month of October, so she was glad that she was able to get a whole week. She said having the skyline lit purple can show domestic violence survivors that they are not alone and there are people who support them.

The funds from the fundraiser on Oct. 20th will support Love & Protect Wisdom’s programs. Williams said she would like to be able to start a fund to help survivors do things like obtain temporary housing and get on their feet after fleeing a domestic violence situation. Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller will be the keynote speaker at the fundraiser. Williams said it is important to have the support of elected officials because they are the ones who can advocate on behalf of the survivors and victims and create legislation.

“Domestic violence is so downplayed, and they really need to know that it’s a crisis.  I need people like Donna Miller and other advocates, because we need to be a voice together and amplify how serious a case this is,” Williams said.

Williams is grateful for the partners who have supported the cause. She said doing the work can be challenging. Williams wants people to support the work Love & Protect Wisdom is doing by attending the fundraiser and sharing information about the organization. She would like for people to get a purple lightbulb and shine a light on domestic violence, either for the week or the entire month of October.

For more information about Love & Protect Wisdom, visit https://loveprotectwisdom.com.

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