FALL/WINTER 2021
KC MIC Connection Quarterly Newsletter for KC Mothers in Charge
In This Issue ... 4th Annual Unity Awards In the Community 10 Years and a Lifetime Upcoming Events
Founder and Program Director Rosilyn Temple (l), Core Mother Yvonne Page (2nd to right) and Outreach Specialist Latrice Murray (right) supporting the family of Tarey Johnson, Sr., 27, who was killed Aug. 28, 2021.
Connecting with Community Despite COVID's Persistence Although many of us anticipated a return to business as usual at some point this year, we've all still found
... and more!
ourselves navigating the complexities of the pandemic for the majority of 2021. KC Mothers in Charge was no exception. In Fall 2021, we made it a top priority to find ways to directly support the community while remaining
Contact Us
cautious and safe. We continued offering our monthly support group, Hope
p. 816.912.2601
& Healing, as well as our new group, Survivors Will Heal;
e. admin@kcmothersincharge.org
hosted a Why Are We So Angry? Block Party; passed out
a. 3200 Wayne Ave., #124W, KCMO 64109
candy to KC's kiddos for Halloween celebrations; and
w. kcmothersincharge.org
showed several families that we will always think of them, by showing support at vigils and during their first holiday seasons without their loved ones. In the pages to follow, you'll see us doing our best to guide, support and empower the community and clients we serve.
4th Annual Unity Awards While the 4th annual Unity Awards celebration was presented virtually due to COVID concerns, the spirit of the ceremony and the generosity of our supporters felt stronger than ever! With pride and admiration, and with help of an energetic host, KSHB 41's Kevin Holmes, we honored the game-changing community leaders who work hard to make Kansas City a better, safer, more united place to live.
Congratulations again to Thelma's Kitchen, Lyrik's Institution, Barb Shelly, Janice Stallings, Peggy Zilm, and Pastor Cassandra Wainwright, this year's Unity Award winners! And, because of the generosity of our ticket holders and sponsors (who are listed below), we raised nearly $10,000 in support of the work of KC MIC's mission!
Special Thanks, Sponsors! Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
Barbara Mueth and Steve Rinne
Elizabeth Bordenave Kay Johnson and Bill Koenigsdorf Ada and Kevin Koch Usha Rengachary Palle and Dennis Rilinger University of MissouriKansas City Frank and Peggy Zilm
Chaplain Chuck and Dawn Murphy
Have you seen the 4th annual Unity Awards? Click here to watch! KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021
KC MIC in the Community
KC MIC Core Mothers, volunteers and partners were all smiles at the most recent Why Are We So Angry? closeout block party event.
Founder and Program Director Rosilyn Temple, with family and loved ones of Devin Jacobs at his prayer vigil. Jacobs, 18, lost his life on Oct. 24.
Outreach Specialist Latrice Murray managing the KC MIC information table at UMKC on National Injury Prevention Day.
Rosilyn and Latrice, preparing to welcome KC MIC clients for our Thanksgiving giveaway. 40 client families were given $50 Price Chopper gift cards.
The kids need candy! Rosilyn, Latrice and Peggy Zilm, who was recently honored as one of our Volunteers of the Year, sort candy for one of many Trunk or Treat Halloween events.
Jess Loya, KC MIC's AmeriCorp VISTA volunteer, representing the organization at the National Injury Prevention Day event.
KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021
10 Years and a Lifetime On Nov. 23, 2021, Rosilyn returned to the scene where her son, Antonio “Pee Wee” Thompson, was found murdered in his apartment exactly 10 years prior. Back in 2011, over a six-hour period, Temple remained at her son’s homicide scene, wondering about the policemen and fire department personnel who had been dispatched. “What is happening? What are they doing?” she recalls asking. Rosilyn, in front of Pee Wee's apartment, Nov. 23, 2021. “I couldn’t believe there was no community liaison for me. I knew there had to be a better way to support victims’ families,” she later said--and that unmet need served as the catalyst for the launch of KC Mothers in Charge.
Since 2014, KC Mothers in Charge has served a multitude of grieving Kansas Citians with support groups, individual counseling, emergency assistance, support at vigils, guidance on access to victim service resources, and so much more. Core to the success of these programs and services has been Rosilyn. As always, we marvel at her leadership and strength. But most importantly, we acknowledge her as a grieving mother who will spend the rest of her lifetime missing -- and honoring -- her son. We will always remember Pee Wee.
Welcome, New Board Members! In early Fall 2021, KC MIC named two additional dynamic women to our Board of Directors. We are proud to welcome Sarah Miller, Vice President, Group Account Director, unbound agency, and Stephanie Newton, Senior Accountant, Planned Parenthood Great Plains.
We're very fortunate to have them join our ranks!
Sarah Miller
Stephanie Newton
KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021
Holiday Giveaway
‘Tis the season ... to #AlwaysRememberThem.
On Dec. 18, KC MIC staff and volunteers extended the spirit of the holiday season by showing special support to our new client families who are experiencing their first year without their loved one, due to homicide. This year, KC MIC gifted more than 130 families with wrapped gifts, household supplies, gift cards, and more.
KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021
Holiday Giveaway (cont.) ‘Tis the season ... to #AlwaysRememberThem.
KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021
Mark Your Calendars! In 2022, we hope to impact our community like never before ... but we need your engagement and partnership to make it happen! Below are a few dates we'd like for you to mark on your calendars: January 18: Survivors Will Heal Support Group (for non-fatal shooting victims), 5 p.m., KC MIC office January 20: Hope and Healing Support Group (for survivors of homicide victims), 5 p.m., KC MIC office January 26: Volunteer Orientation Sessions, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m., KC MIC office Check our socials and website for details and updates!
Thank you for considering a gift. To invest in the programs and services that help KC Mothers in Charge support the hurting families of Kansas City, please send your donations to:
KC Mothers in Charge 3200 Wayne Ave., Ste. 124W Kansas City, MO 64109 - or
Visit kcmothersincharge.org/take-action to give electronically.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. KC MIC Connection - Fall / Winter 2021