Our mission

At KC Mothers in Charge, our mission is to provide crisis response and
on-going support for families grieving from the violent loss of a loved one

What We Do

Victim & Family Services

When a homicide occurs, KC Mothers in Charge (KC MIC) is notified by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. On scene, KC MIC offers immediate crisis support to families experiencing unimaginable loss. Our presence at these critical moments ensures families are not alone and are provided with insight into the procedures used by law enforcement to process and investigate the scene, while delivering essential emotional and logistical support.

In the days, months and years following homicides, KC MIC provides direct services to
families of homicide victims, including:

Home Visits- conducted within a few days of a homicide, with each visit we provide a hot meal, which not only meets an immediate need, but also creates an opportunity for KC MIC, trauma trained staff to better understand each families unique needs and introduce them to our ongoing support and counseling services.

Vigils- When a life is taken by homicide, KC MIC stands with families in their darkest hour. Our community vigils provide a space to honor loved ones, speak their names, and surround grieving families with compassion and support. These gatherings remind families that they are not alone. They also serve as a reminder that homicide is a community problem and reducing homicide rates requires community action.

Phone Calls- Each month, KC MIC volunteers make more than 500 support calls to families that have lost loved ones to homicide, providing consistent encouragement, access to resources, and ensuring that no family feels forgotten.

Support Groups- Our monthly Hope and Healing Support Group for families who have lost a loved one to homicide, provides trauma informed group counseling in a safe and compassionate environment. Hope and Healing also helps families navigate and understand the complexities of the criminal justice system. Quarterly Hope and Healing Meet and Greets, allow new members to connect with others who share similar experiences of grief from the sudden, violent loss of a loved one.

Launched in 2021, Survivors Will Heal offers support to non-fatal shooting victims in Kansas City. Through a safe and inclusive support group setting, KC MIC helps those who are personally recovering from the trauma of gun violence. 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.

Not Forgotten- Launching in January of 2026, this program will prioritize follow-up visits for families of homicides victims, three months after the death of their loved one. This timing is grounded in clinical findings around delayed grief; many family members of those lost in a violent death experience several weeks of shock and feelings of denial before they are able to emotionally process what has happened. Studies have shown that grief responses can intensify three to six months after a violent loss, leaving families more likely develop prolonged grief disorders. By reinitiating trauma informed care, Not Forgotten will provide an opportunity for families to find support and counseling at a time when they feel most alone.

Special Events- KC MIC hosts several family-centered events and activities throughout the year, offering moments of relief and togetherness for families who are coping with the traumatic loss of a loved one. These events allow connection with others facing similar circumstances, reducing isolation and hopelessness

Prison and Reentry Visits: KC MIC Core Mothers speak to individuals who are incarcerated or on probation or parole for violent crimes. Core Mothers have experienced a loss to homicide and are dedicated to influencing 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.

Prevention and Advocacy: 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, we engage in designated community “hotspots” to convene problem solvers and facilitate discussions for improvement.