• Get Help

    Are you interested in staying at Refuge for Women?

    After completing your application you will be contacted within 48 hours with the total process taking around  3-5 business days.

    Take The First Step To Freedom!

    If you need immediate help, please visit our resources page for more information

  • Locations

    Chicago

    KENTUCKY

    LAS VEGAS

    PITTSBURGH

    NORTH TEXAS

    TEXAS GULF COAST

  • Shop Survivor Made

    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.

    SHOP NOW

    Candles

    Leather Goods

    Jewelry

    Apparel

  • About Us

    About Us

    Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith based organization providing specialized long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation.  

    Learn
    Donate

    More Info

  • Resources

    Resources

    Stories of hope

    Becoming Fearless Podcast

  • Donate

    Even $25 Makes a Difference.

    Donate one-time or monthly. Donate to specific locations or click the link below to donate to our national organization and we’ll direct your generosity to where it’s needed most. Above all, just give. These women need your help.

    Give Where Needed Most

    Donate to Chicago
    Donate to North Texas
    Donate to Kentucky
    Donate to Pittsburgh
    Donate to Las Vegas
    Donate to Texas Gulf Coast

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.

Donate to our ministry

Your generous contribution will go directly towards providing long-term care for women who have been trafficked and exploited.

GIVE

Volunteer your time

We are always in need of volunteers to help with administrative tasks, events, fundraising opportunities, and more. Give your time and talents to help further our mission.

SERVE

Join Our Team

We are looking for individuals with a heart to bring healing and wholeness to a population of broken women.

JOIN

Events

2023 Gala At The Farmstead

October 19, 2023 5:00PM  |  The Lincoln Farmstead, Huntley, IL  – Refuge for Women Chicago invites you to the “Gala at the Farmstead” to raise …

Learn More

Previous Events

Benefit Concert for Sex Trafficking Survivors

On May 25, 2023, Refuge for Women Chicago hosted our 2nd Annual Benefit Concert for Sex Trafficking Survivors in Woodstock! We came together at Niko’s …

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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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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.

Provide For Her!

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.

GIVE

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

SHOP

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

SERVE

Leadership

Meredith
Hodge

Executive Director

Sybil
Baxa

Development Director

Joan
Flores

Program Director and
Transitional Living Director

Crystal
Botero-Rand

Community Engagement Coordinator

Sherry Bennett

Residential Shift Leader

Victoria Bounds

Residential Shift Leader

Jen Fanning

Residential Shift Leader

Christine Hrinowich

Senior Residential Shift Leader

Lani Lang

Residential Shift Leader

Michelle Marzelli

Executive Director Assistant

Leah Regester

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
  • Jim Wiecek, Owner, Inspired Designs Painting and Remodeling and Director of Men’s Ministry, Light of Christ Church

Contact Refuge for Women Chicago

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

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.

SHOP NOW

Candles

Leather Goods

Jewelry

Apparel

RFWlogo_NoTagline_Purple_SCREEN

FOLLOW US

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LOCATIONS

Chicago
Kentucky
Las Vegas
North Texas
Pittsburgh
Texas Gulf Coast

OTHER LINKS

Need Help?
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About Us
Stories of Hope
Contact Us
Resources 

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Refuge For Women is a US-registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation. EIN #26-4388243. Refuge For Women is governed by the Board of Directors and is financed through charitable donations.

© 2022 Refuge for Women