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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Wooden It Be Lovely (WIBL), a Springfield nonprofit that provides transitional employment for women recovering from abuse or addiction, cut the ribbon on its new building.
It is the first time the organization has had its own building. Reverend Margaret Ann Jessup, who serves as executive director, started WIBL 10 years ago to help vulnerable women in the community.
“For ten years we have dreamed, worked, prayed, celebrated, and watched women begin to believe in themselves and today we get to stand here and say we have a home of our own,” Jessup said. “This building represents possibility. It represents what can happen when people are willing to take a chance on women who have been given very few chances up until now.”
Jessup said the building represents second chances, new beginnings, hard work, laughter, tears, friendship and hope.
Jessup said the organization purchased the former Temple Israel building in December. The group moved into the space in July.
Board Chair Jen DeJong said the organization was able to move into the building because of a generous donation.
“A huge reason why we are here today and in this building now is because of the former chief justice, Benjamin Miller,” DeJong said. “He was a generous man who gave back in his life, but also beyond his life. His trust has very generously given us the money to purchase this building.”
Miller’s trustees gave Wouldn’t It Be Lovely $550,000, enough to purchase the building and expand its housing program. Carol Pope, a trustee of Miller’s charitable trust, said Miller was a lifelong advocate for women and children. A plaque and bench in the building now honor his contributions.
Jessup said the new building gives the organization eight times more space than it had before, including a downstairs storage area. She said the added space allows the organization to hire and serve more women.