#WeWillAlwaysRememberThem A Closer Look at the Programs, Services and Volunteer Opportunities of KC Mothers in Charge
KC Mothers in Charge is a group of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, fathers, and a caring community working to prevent others from experiencing the tragedy of homicide.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS Victim and Family Services Trauma-Informed Crisis Care at Homicide Scenes When a homicide occurs, KC Mothers in Charge (KC MIC) is notified immediately by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. While KCPD secures the scene for proper investigation, KC MIC offers crisis intervention and peer-to-peer comfort, care and support to family members.
Hope and Healing Support Program
Best Service
In the days, months and years following homicides, KC MIC provides direct services to families of homicide victims, including home visits, assistance with funerals and vigils; weekly check-in phone calls; evidenceinformed individual and family therapy; monthly support groups; quarterly meet-and-greets for families to build supportive relationships; and opportunities to participate in anti-violence events.
Survivors Will Heal Support Program Launched in 2021, Survivors Will Heal serves as a direct response to the growing number of non-fatal shooting victims in the Kansas City metro area. Similar to Hope and Healing, through support group settings and oneon-one counseling opportunities, KC MIC will help those who are personally recovering from the trauma of gun violence to cultivate strategies that prioritize their physical and mental health. The goal is for participants to adopt healthy ways to move forward after experiencing crisis, and in certain cases, to use conflict resolution strategies to quell thoughts of retaliation.
Offender Reintegration and Recidivism Reduction KC MIC Core Mothers address individuals who are incarcerated or on probation or parole for violence-related crimes. Core Mothers are singularly equipped by their loss to influence the hearts and minds of their service population. By reliving their worst memories with strength and uncensored emotion, Core Mothers possess unparalleled authority to speak truth to their experiences.
Community Outreach and Education KC MIC mobilizes community members and neighborhood residents to get involved in violence prevention activities by canvassing high crime areas, intersections, and neighborhoods alongside agency partners and police; engaging in designated community “hotspots” to convene problem solvers and facilitate discussions for improvement; and providing outreach to at-risk students and youth.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Homicide Scene Support Family members should not have to stand alone at the homicide scene of their loved one. When a homicide scene occurs, we are notified immediately by the KCPD. While police secure the scene for proper investigation, we arrive at the scene to provide comfort, care and support to the family.
Vigils At the request of families, we host memorial, birthday or anniversary vigils for their loved ones. In lieu of balloons, KC Mothers in Charge provides environmentally-friendly philodendron plants to families.
Individual or Family Counseling KC Mothers in Charge partners with licensed professional counselors to support individuals and families. Clients have the option to meet with one of our grief counselors at our office, in their home or at a location of their choice.
Home Visits As mothers who have been through the pain of having our children stolen from us, we understand the pain of losing a loved one. In the days following a homicide, we will visit families at their homes to provide a listening ear, care and support.
Family Support Calls Every week, our Core Mothers and volunteers place phone calls to families of homicide victims to check in and inform them of upcoming KC MIC programs and events. Families may ask to be removed from our call list at any time.
Monthly Support Groups Our Survivors Will Heal Support Group (benefitting shooting survivors) takes place every third Tuesday, and our Hope and Healing Support Group (benefitting family members of homicide victims) takes place every third Thursday at the Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose Center, 3200 Wayne, KCMO.
Funeral Home Visits At the request of families, we will visit funeral homes with family members to help them understand the funeral and burial process. (Please note: We are unable to provide monetary assistance for funeral or burials.) We refer families to KCPD Violent Crimes Division, Best Service whose staff can assist families in applying for the Missouri Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The Fund provides financial reimbursement for funeral expenses.
Criminal Justice System Navigation We assist families with navigating the criminal justice system by serving as a liaison. Upon request, we will accompany families to court. We will also meet with detectives about their loved one's case.
Quarterly Meet-and-Greets KC Mothers in Charge hosts quarterly social activities for families to build relationships with each other. Past Meet-and-Greets have included a Mothers' Night Out, BINGO Night, and more.
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
Need to talk to someone about your trauma or grief? KC Mothers in Charge offers 5 free counseling sessions with licensed therapists. Shooting Survivors: Mondays and Wednesdays at the KC MIC Office One-hour sessions, between noon-3 p.m. Loved Ones of Homicide Victims: Tuesdays and Thursdays at the KC MIC Office One-hour sessions, between noon-3 p.m.
Location: 3200 Wayne Ave., Ste. 124W Kansas City, MO 64109 Call (816) 912-2601 to learn more.
Hope and Healing for Survivors of
Homicide
3rd Thursdays | 5-7 p.m. | 3200 Wayne Ave., KCMO Variety of topics and speakers Support and encouragement Safe space to share
2022 Meeting Dates:
January 20 February 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16
July 21 August 18 September 15 October 20 November 17
This is an adult support group (no childcare or transportation will be provided). Doors open at 4:30 p.m. to ensure a timely start. Call (816) 912-2601 or e-mail Latrice.Murray@kcmothersincharge.org to learn more. Follow KC Mothers in Charge on social media for updates.
Survivors Will Heal Support Group for Shooting Survivors
3rd Tuesdays | 5-7 p.m. | 3200 Wayne Ave., KCMO (Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose Center)
Variety of topics and speakers Conflict resolution Support and sharing in a safe space
2022 Meeting Dates:
January 18 February 15 March 15 April 19 May 17 June 21
July 19 August 16 September 20 October 18 November 15 December 20
For more information / to RSVP: latrice.murray@kcmothersincharge.org or (816) 912-2601 This is an adult support group (no childcare or transportation will be provided). Doors open at 4:30 p.m. to ensure a timely start. Follow KC Mothers in Charge on social media for updates.
#StopTheViolence
Volunteer Support:
The Building Blocks of Our Community Impact
KC MOTHERS IN CHARGE has a small staff with a BIG mission: to reduce violent crime through prevention, education and intervention, and to guide and support the families of victims. We can't do this important work without the help of an engaged and dedicated group of community volunteers. In the pages to follow, we invite you to learn more ... and get involved!
Core Mothers
Canvassing Phone Calls Vigils Support Groups
Core Mothers A Core Mother is a volunteer who has made the commitment to join and represent KC Mothers in Charge to serve families and the community. Location: KC Mothers in Charge Office, 3200 Wayne Ave., KCMO 64109, and throughout the Greater KC area in support of various events. Days / Time: Monthly business meetings, every first Thursday, 5-6 p.m.; monthly support group meetings, as available; storytelling trainings, as scheduled. Volunteer tasks: Attend and actively participate in meetings, support groups, trainings, vigils and canvassing events; assist with set up and tear-down of events; represent KC Mothers in Charge in a positive and professional manner. T-shirts/hoodies and training provided.
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
Phone Calls Volunteers provide ongoing support to surviving family members of homicide victims by placing weekly phone calls. Location: KC Mothers in Charge Office: 3200 Wayne Ave., KCMO 64109 Days / times: Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday., 11 a.m. 3 p.m. (Plan to spend about two hours when placing phone calls.) Volunteer tasks: Call families from the KC MIC office phone. Take notes and record responses in call log. Training is provided (and mandatory).
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
Canvassing Canvassing volunteers inform the community about KC Mothers in Charge's programs and services, and help to build bridges between our community and law enforcement. Location: Outdoors; locations vary within the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department's jurisdiction. Time: 3.5 hours per canvassing event. Canvassing events typically occur during weekday evenings, between 5-7 p.m. with a brief, 30minute orientation prior to start time. Volunteer tasks: Pass out KC Mothers in Charge flyers and brochures, hold signs. Handouts, signs and water are provided.
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
Vigil Support Vigil volunteers assist with memorial, anniversary and birthday vigils in honor of homicide victims. Vigils hosted by KC Mothers in Charge are held at the request of victims' families. Location: Outdoors, often near the scene of the homicide. Weekdays or weekends, most often, evenings, between 5-8 p.m. Time: 1.5 hours per vigil. Volunteer tasks: Count attendees, distribute tissues and KC MIC information, take photos. Flyers, tissues, clipboard, notepad, pens and counter are provided.
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
Support Groups Support Group volunteers help with monthly support groups host by KC Mothers in Charge for family members of homicide victims, and survivors of shootings. Location: KC Mothers in Charge Office, 3200 Wayne Ave., KCMO 64109 Days / Time: Every third Tuesday, and every third Thursday of the month, from 5-7 p.m. For set up and tear down, plan to volunteer 3.5 hours per meeting. Volunteer tasks: Greet families as they arrive; assist with sign in; pass out client satisfaction surveys and pens; collect surveys and pens; distribute tissues; staff the resource table; take photos; clean up. Note: tissues, clipboard, pens, surveys and cleaning materials are provided.
For more information, contact KC Mothers in Charge at (816) 912-2601, or visit us online at kcmothersincharge.org.
CONTACT / CONNECT WITH US Office Location: Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose Center 3200 Wayne Ave., Ste. 124W Kansas City, MO 64109 Office Hours: Mon-Thurs., 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
@KCMothersinCharge
admin@kcmothersincharge.org
@kc_mic
(816) 912-2601
@KCMothersCharge
www.kcmothersincharge.org
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 the office address above, or visit kcmothersincharge.org/take-action to give electronically. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.