One Voice. One Vision. One Stronger Transition.

Founded in 2005 and chartered in Illinois as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the NWVU members served in the military during peace and War time and support all women who have served. You do not have to be a member to receive services, information, or support, and individual case-management assistance is confidential and free. NWVU is also the first women veterans organization in Illinois and one of the few across the nation, appointed by the VA with fiduciary responsibility and does not seek a fee.

WHERE SUPPORT SHOWS UP: THE ANNUAL STAND DOWN

One place NWVU’s work comes to life is its annual Stand Down—an event designed to check in on women veterans and identify who may need follow-up services. Every participant completes pre- and post-event forms and an end-of-day survey collected when they receive a goodie bag with hygiene items, a bracelet, and a $25 gift card. The feedback helps NWVU flag follow-ups, spot gaps, and keep improving the experience.

The day itself is part resource hub, part wellness gathering. Veterans share a meal, take part in creative activities, or choose peer-to-peer conversation with someone who “gets it.” Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs service officers are on-site to support VA benefit claims and disability needs, and NWVU identifies those at risk of homelessness for next-step support.

Then come the moments that change the room. At one Stand Down, women who had never been thanked for their service received medals reading, “Women Veterans Are Heroes Too.” For some, there were tears—years of silence finally met with recognition.

WHEN HELP BECOMES PERSONAL

But the real measure of NWVU’s impact is what happens after the event ends, when a veteran leaves with safety, support, and a way forward.

One veteran shared, “I was in complete despair with no one to turn to and nowhere to go… There was no judgment about my situation—I was put in a hotel, and my bills were paid. Knowing there is a resource like NWVU that really cares made me believe there’s help for veterans.”

Another said, “When I first came in contact with NWVU, I was homeless and searching for safety and stability… Having shelter and peace of mind allowed me to keep working and regain a sense of dignity.”

A HOME FOR WOMEN VETERANS IN ILLINOIS

NWVU’s year-round home is the SGT Simone A. Robinson Military Women Veterans Center in Chicago (8620 S. Pulaski, lower level)—the only Military Women Veterans Center in Illinois and one of the few named after a fallen woman soldier. SGT Simone A. Robinson, an Illinois native, died from wounds sustained in an attack in Afghanistan at 21, leaving behind a two-year-old daughter and a grieving family.

From benefits guidance to peer connection, NWVU helps women veterans find steady ground after service, and reminds them they don’t have to navigate the next chapter alone.