When Emagin Tanaschuk entered Northwestern University, she had her eye on a career in journalism. But a personal encounter with sexual violence, coupled with a rewarding foray into activism, convinced her to pivot from journalism to the nonprofit sector. “As I worked on various causes, I realized I wasn’t getting tired of the work—I was energized,” she recalls. These days, Emagin is knee-deep in mission-driven work for the Chicago-based nonprofit The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. She serves as the Survivor Fund manager, allocating financial resources to those who have or are now experiencing gender-based violence. “We’re a safety net for survivors,” she explains.

Emagin describes the pressing need the Survivor Fund is meeting: “In 2024, we dispersed just over $5 million to 4,111 survivors, and by the end of 2025, we will have distributed over $20 million to survivors of gender-based violence. And this is just since our inception in 2020.” 

The Survivor Fund draws from a host of funding sources, including both government grants and private funding, she explains. “Grants have encompassed unrestricted cash assistance and housing-related financial assistance such as rent assistance, and the length of time that assistance is rendered varies depending on the funder.” 

The Network also operates the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, notes Emagin, a resource that has seen increased use since the pandemic. The organization’s annual Measuring Safety report revealed that in 2024, the hotline received 50,704 contacts, nearly 19,000 of which were specifically from Chicago callers. “This represents a 78 percent increase in users from pre-pandemic 2019 levels,” she says. “These days people are facing loss of income, racism, misogyny—and they’re in need of resources now more than ever.”

A standout in providing assistance to victims of domestic violence, the Network is a source of pride for Emagin. “We’re not aware of any financial assistance program for survivors operated by a community-based organization that distributes more funds each year in the US than we do,” she notes.

Emagin admits the work can be emotionally demanding, but insists that knowing she is playing an active role in helping others keeps her engaged. “Some of the stories hit me hard, but when I’m in it, doing the work and feeling productive, I have hope. People are really helping themselves,” she adds quickly. “We’re just witnessing their transformations. Their strength is what really inspires me.”

As for her own strength and sense of purpose, Emagin says both were bolstered during her years at Emma Willard. “As a student, Emma teaches you that your voice and actions matter. The world doesn’t always welcome women’s voices, but Emma gave me the confidence to be audacious. It’s a gift I carry with me to this day.” 

This article was originally written by Lori Ferguson for the Fall 2025/Winter 2026 edition of Signature magazine.

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