New Non-Profit Organization, Empowering Women NFP, building long-term solutions for Women Domestic Violence Survivors

Empowering Women is a Chicago, Illinois based charitable 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to women and girls who are domestic violence survivors. Founded by Arshia Hasnain in Summer 2020, its mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence, helping survivors achieve financial independence, self-sufficiency, and emotional well-being.

After COVID-19 hit in Illinois, Empowering Women has seen an increase in phone calls from women in domestic violence situations especially in Cook County. Rates of reported domestic offenses in the Pandemic have escalated much higher than average.

During an interview with Local Press, Arshia Hasnain said, "Our mission is to break the cycle of Domestic Violence by providing necessary services in and around Chicago. We are committed to enabling and enhancing access to financial literacy, legal assistance, professional mental health and emotional wellbeing services and self-reliance, so women survivors can independently achieve their fullest potential. At Empowering Women NFP our dedicated team reflects the diversity of the women and girls we help. Our team members have, on average, over 15 years of experience helping empower women. Arshia Hasnain, Colleen Hurley, Dr. Mumtaz Husain, Farvah Lakhani, Sahar Ahmad and Sarah Hussain as well as Sena Alinco and Diana Rodriguez, each bring their strengths and professionalism to this cohesive, well-functioning team."

Arshia feels that "Empowering Women NFP will develop new ways to tackle domestic violence in Chicagoland to build long-term solutions and build confidence in survivors."

Arshia also highlighted that "With our own diverse cultural backgrounds, we work very effectively with a broad range of underserved minority communities in Chicago, including the African-American, Latinx and South Asian communities. Our geographic focus is Chicago's West Side, South Side and Rogers Park, where we are seeing the most immediate need for our services. We arrange for temporary emergency shelter as needed to protect the immediate physical and mental wellbeing of those we serve. Everyone on the team is trauma-informed and our programs are trauma-centric to reflect the reality of domestic violence."

Arshia further continued that "Our team collaborates with schools, colleges, religious institutions, CAPS, and conducts small group meetings at the community grass-roots level, to bring awareness of domestic violence and resources available to survivors. Our outreach has twin goals: awareness building and collective solving of the issue of domestic violence against women. All done in a culturally sensitive and survivor-empowering way."

"At Empowering Women, we aim to reduce social problems that arise when women and girls are marginalized, and we believe that at the core of this marginalization is the issue of domestic violence. We seek to treat the issue and fix multiple problems." Arshia said.

Arshia Hasnain has a long history of service and advocacy in the area of domestic violence in the Chicagoland area. Well-wishers are hoping her organization, Empowering Women NFP, will help manage the problem of domestic violence in the Chicagoland area.

Empowering Women NFP helps families who live through domestic violence. Contact the organization by calling (773) 336-2144, or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.