About Mutual Ground

At Mutual Ground, we believe everyone has the right to live without fear, oppression, abuse, and violence.

  • Our Mission

    To create a safe environment where individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use are able to reclaim their power. We support the healing of our community through education, awareness, and life changing services as a commitment to equity for all.

Our Values

We unconditionally reject racism, discrimination, inequity and bigotry in all forms and embrace the organizational change necessary to dismantle systems that perpetuate injustice and inequity. In order to carry out our intentions, we have created the following organizational values to guide our journey from decision making to our daily practice.

  • At Mutual Ground, we seek to understand and respect the diverse perspectives of all persons, join them where they are on their journey, accept them without judgment, treat them with wise compassion, and value them as unique individuals.

  • At Mutual Ground, we are committed to holding ourselves accountable to clients, staff, and our community; intentionally centering the voices of those who are inadequately represented. Our organizational values are rooted in purposeful practices upheld through word, thought, and action.

  • At Mutual Ground, we strive to intentionally create a non-judgmental, safe space open to vulnerability, where people are valued for all of their experiences and differences.

    "We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist." ~ Robert Jones, Jr.

  • At Mutual Ground, we commit to eliminating injustice and racial inequity in the following ways:

    ~ decentering whiteness: shifting power and centering the voices of people with lived experiences of
    inequity (Learn More)

    ~ advancing policies that promote social justice by dismantling racist and inequitable systems

    ~ identifying and addressing biases and microaggressions of racism

    ~ holding ourselves and others accountable to values and actions that promote racial equity

    We condemn racism, discrimination, inequity, and bigotry in all forms.

Our History

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The Women’s Development Council meets at Waubonsee Community College and begins the ideation and creation of Mutual Ground.
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1974

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Mutual Ground is incorporated as a 501(c)3. Counseling and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence begin.
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1975

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Mutual Ground’s first shelter opens in Aurora.
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1978

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Counseling and advocacy services for victims of sexual violence begin.
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1983

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First property is purchased on Lake Street in Aurora with the ability to shelter to fourteen clients.
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1984

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Prevention Education programming is offered in local schools.
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1985

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The Edna Smith Home on Oak Avenue is purchased to centralize services at one location and more than double shelter capacity.
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1997

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Executive Director, Linda Healy, retires after 23 years and is succeeded by the current Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Meyer.
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2011

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Satellite counseling office opens in Batavia.
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2015

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Satellite legal advocacy office opens at the Kendall County Courthouse.
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2016

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Satellite counseling office opens in Yorkville.
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2017

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Partnership with Hesed House provides victim services at the Hesed Comprehensive Homeless Resource Center.
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2018

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Property renovations accomodate growth in services and allow for addition of new staff.
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2018

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Board of Directors and Staff undergo a rigorous strategic planning process and create a five-year Strategic Plan.
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2019

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Mutual Ground participates in the establishment of the Kendall County Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT).
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2020

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Mutual Ground acquires Breaking Free, adding outpatient substance use services to the Mutual Ground umbrella of services.
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2021

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Michelle Meyer’s title is changed from Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer.
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2022

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Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Meyer, retires after 12 years and is succeeded by the current Chief Executive Officer, Linda Maranda.
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2023