I am Mrs. Kim Wells, a survivor of domestic violence. In 2006, I founded Virtuous Women in Sisterhood (VWISH), a nonprofit organization to support women exit out of abusive relationships. For more than ten years I was in an abusive relationship. I attempted to flee from the relationship multiple times, but I would routinely return. After years of abuse, I finally got the courage to leave my abuser. But this time it was for good. I struggled to maintain my physical and mental health because I had limited resources and support. At the time, I had seven children that I needed to provide for and keep safe. While I was struggling to maintain my own existence, I met Vicky Anderson who was also experiencing domestic violence. Together we began supporting other women who were trying to flee their abusive relationships. They too were seeking to stabilize their lives and heal from domestic violence.

 

I later met Priscilla, a domestic violence counselor, who helped me to further navigate the fleeing process. Priscilla supported me by providing me with a safe place to stay, financial assistance and a listening ear. Through this kindness showed to me, I knew that other women in similar situations could benefit from this kind of support. It was then that God gave me the name Virtuous Women In Sisterhood, and I decided that no woman should go through life without support. 

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Today VWISH is dedicated to supporting all women seeking to leave abusive relationships. We are an emergency assistance program that seeks to empower, encourage, and restore survivors of domestic violence. VWISH is more than an organization, it’s a sisterhood, it’s a family, a community where we will help survivors get through life, teach them to take action in their life and to love and support one another as well as themselves.  Although it might look like you may have lost everything, VWISH firmly believes that anything we may have lost will be fully restored.  We further believe that collectively communities can come together to address the challenges and gaps that survivors face and seek to overcome. So, I say “stop the silence in domestic violence”

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Mission, Vision

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VWISH was created to empower, encourage, and restore survivors of domestic violence. Our Vison is ALL women will be able to act in their lives, within their families, and in their communities. Our Mission is threefold: to lead, love, and support one another with optimism and to be guided by the belief that good will prevail. VWISH firmly believes that anything we may have lost will be fully restored, and that collectively the community can come together to address the challenges and barriers that survivors face and seek to overcome. 

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Our goal is to support women who have been abused and are fleeing from domestic violence.

We do this by:

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1. Providing a place free from abuse

2. Providing short-term financial assistance 

3. Providing peer support 

4. Providing referrals for needed services.

5. Provide vocational and financial literacy training

 

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