Our mission

At KC Mothers in Charge, our mission is to reduce violent crime through prevention, education and intervention, and to guide and support the families of victims. Our vision is a KC community safe for all, where families are empowered and supported.

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​
  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; evidence-informed 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 one-on-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 & 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 & 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.

Home Visit Support
In the days following a homicide, we will visit families at their homes to provide a listening ear, care and support.

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, whose staff can assist families in applying for the Missouri Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The Fund provides financial reimbursement for funeral expenses.

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.

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.

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.

Individual or Family Counseling
KC Mothers in Charge partners with licensed professional counselors to support individuals and families.

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.

Quarterly Meet & 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.