Chicago

Welcome to Refuge for Women Chicago!

TAKE A TOUR OF OUR CHICAGOLAND AREA PROGRAM HOME, ESTABLISHED IN 2016!

As many as 25,000 women and girls are sexually exploited and trafficked in the Chicago area every year. Refuge for Women has responded to this need and opened our Refuge for Women Chicago area home in October 2016. We received our first residents in November 2016 and look forward to what God has in store for their future.

Events

Benefit Concert for Sex Trafficking Survivors

May 25, 2023 6:00PM  | Niko’s Red Mill Tavern | Join us for Refuge for Women Chicago’s 2nd annual Benefit Concert!  This lively, outdoors concert …

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Previous Events

Trivia Night

Thank you to our Trivia Night attendees for raising nearly $4,000 to support Refuge for Women! We had a blast with Elephino Trivia leading trivia …

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2023 The Truth About Trafficking Panel Discussion

In honor of January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Refuge for Women Chicago hosted “The Truth About Trafficking” event on January 18, 2023 at Willow Creek Huntley. Local community …

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Gala at the Farmstead

Refuge for Women Chicago hosted our annual “Gala at the Farmstead” on Thursday, September 15, 2022 to raise life-transforming funds for survivors of sexual exploitation. More …

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Invite Refuge For Women To Present

Awareness and prevention is key! Bring Refuge to your group, office, or school to shed light on the issues surrounding sex trafficking and exploitation. Contact meredith.hodge@refugeforwomen.org.

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House Needs

Often our residents will arrive with only the clothes on their back. Items on this registry will help us provide for her daily needs!

We do our best to update our needs list frequently. You can order directly from our My Registry list to be shipped to our office.

Donate Gift Cards

Gift cards give us flexibility for our on-demand and unexpected needs at the house. We appreciate gift cards to: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, gas stations, craft stores, and chain restaurants. Contact crystal.boterorand@refugeforwomen.org for more info.

Be a Supply Partner

Supply Partners help provide household items for our program home like food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. This is a great way for church groups, businesses, and families to get involved! Contact crystal.boterorand@refugeforwomen.org for more info on becoming a Supply Partner.

Give. Shop. Serve.

Give monthly. Give once. Just give. All donations help restore hope.

Shop for artisan candles,  and leather goods crafted by our survivors.

Offer your time and talents for the benefit of our mission.

Leadership

Meredith Hodge

Executive Director

Michelle Marzelli

Executive Director Assistant

Joan Flores

Transitional Living Director

Crystal Botero-Rand

Community Engagement Coordinator

Christine Hrinowich

Senior Residential Shift Leader

Sherry Bennett

Residential Shift Leader

Victoria Bounds

Residential Shift Leader

Paula Meehan

Residential Shift Leader

Local Board of Directors

Board Chair

Troy Owens: Managing Member, Owens Law LLC; Assistant State’s Attorney, McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office

Board Treasurer

Walter Wolf: Finance/Accounting Professional (retired)

Board Secretary

Kim Stevenson: MA, NBCC, Licensed Professional Counselor

Board Members

  • Terri Greeno: Owner, Express Employment Professionals
  • Michelle Lieb: Founder and CEO, MKL Intentional Growth
  • Ana Morado: Dual Language Teacher, Huntley Park District; Real Estate Broker, Baird & Warner Realty
  • Dr. Marsha Vaughn, PhD, LMFT: Professor of Couple and Family Therapy, Adler University

Contact Refuge for Women Chicago

Connect with our team to learn more or get involved
620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Survivor Made creates jobs and  builds the confidence of our survivors. Our artisan, hand-crafted products are stylish, high-quality and change lives one sale at a time.