Rosilyn Temple, founder of KC Mothers in Charge, lost her son to homicide and now provides support for other families experiencing the same loss. Her organization offers support beyond the funeral to help families cope with their grief.
Families and friends of Kansas City homicide victims took turns sharing the names of their loved ones during a National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims event hosted by KC Mothers in Charge. ILANA AROUGHETI
For KC Mothers in Charge founder Rosilyn Temple, losing her son was like “an out-of-body experience.” Temple’s son, Antonio “PeeWee” Thompson, was fatally shot in 2011, on the night before Thanksgiving. His death was especially lonely and confusing without a clear avenue for support in the days that followed, she said.
Years later, Temple accompanies Kansas City police to the site of every homicide reported to provide immediate support to families experiencing their own losses. But for the loved ones of homicide victims, Temple feels, help shouldn’t end at the funeral. “You’re not there,” Temple said. “You can remember everything, but you need somebody to be there to help you walk the process.”
Wednesday was the 17th annual National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, which victim support nonprofit KC Mothers in Charge marked by bringing together grieving residents with other Kansas City groups devoted to their healing.
Thousands of Kansas City residents have lost parents, children and loved ones to homicide. Among them are the about 50 residents who gathered in the auditorium at 3200 Wayne Ave. Wednesday, quietly trading stories of their lost loved ones in between speakers. “Kansas City is not a bad city,” Temple said at Wednesday’s event. “But we know we’re dealing with a lot of different things in our community. Mental health, trauma… generational curses.” KC Mothers in Charge hosted Wednesday’s event in collaboration with nonprofits AdHoc Group Against Crime, Corey’s Network and Children of Homicide Victims KC, as well as with the Kansas City Police Department. Organizers hoped to help attendees get connected with grief support groups and other resources.
“[Homicide] is not a ‘them problem’,” said Toni Vaughn, the director of intervention and prevention services for AdHoc Group against Crime. “It’s an all of us problem. Anything that’s happening in our community is impacting each and every one.” Before joining the AdHoc team, Vaughn was on the receiving end of the organization’s services after losing her brother to gun violence in 2011, she said. Thirteen years later, the group is trying to ensure families have a safe place to land while they navigate grief after homicide. “I’ve been impacted by it, you’ve been impacted by it,” Vaughn said, addressing the assembled residents. “You are not alone. We are in this fight together.”
Several attendees came Wednesday in honor of one of the 118 Kansas City residents who have been killed since the start of 2024, including family and friends of Chestina Gaskin, Xavier Townsend-Keith and Deshaun McKinzy. Though many touched by homicide in Kansas City have come to lean on each other, everyone’s grief is unique, Temple said. “I don’t know how my grandson grieved after losing my son,” Temple said. “I had to fix me at the time, as a mom.”
About KC Mother’s in Charge:
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.
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Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article293057194.html#storylink=cpy
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