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In this month's newsletter:
- A harrowing story of the importance of civil legal aid
- Reflections on MLK Day from Kids Matter's Lance Jones
- An exciting book club opportunity
- And more!
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Many people know Kids Matter Inc. for our advocacy on behalf of foster and kinship youth. Over the last several years, a growing number of kids have been taken in by relatives due to family violence, including domestic violence homicide.
This month, the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF) is sharing stories of how free civil legal services help children and families across Wisconsin. One of our families impacted by domestic violence homicide was highlighted recently. The story is below. Let's do all we can to make sure there are no more stories like this one.
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When the Person Who Murdered Your
Daughter Has a Key to Your Home
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Names have been changed to protect people’s identities, but this story is real.
John and Jane, the parents of a two-year-old daughter, Rebecca, were lucky to live near Jane’s mother, Grandma Rose, in Milwaukee. Grandma Rose was always helping out and watching Rebecca.
But being a go-to babysitter is far from being a legal guardian — as she was about to find out.
A shocking turn of events left Jane dead and John on the run, wanted for her murder. In the face of this tragedy, Grandma Rose was left with her grief and her grandchild, as well as a host of safety concerns and complicated systems to navigate: criminal justice... child protection... victim support.
Without John in custody, she was afraid for her own life as well as for Rebecca’s. She couldn’t stay in her home knowing he had easy access.
Crime Victims: More Than the Murdered
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With Rebecca’s father still at large, the family’s safety was their top priority. But how could one person cope with these unforeseen security issues, sudden full-time care of a toddler, and the myriad responsibilities that come after an unexpected death? Grandma Rose needed help, and she was entitled to it. | |
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All crime victims have rights, and when murder is involved, those rights extend to the families. Grandma Rose was focused on keeping her grandbaby safe, and she wasn’t aware she was entitled to support: not only restitution and compensation, but also rights involving the criminal justice system. | |
Kids Matter Steps In
Grandma Rose originally approached Kids Matter Inc. and asked for support with getting custody of Rebecca, but because Kids Matter is a comprehensive civil legal aid provider, she got much more. Her advocates helped her:
- File for temporary relocation assistance until the murderer was caught, and for reimbursement for lock replacement costs on her existing home.
- Access burial assistance for Jane, her adult daughter.
- Get healthcare for Rebecca.
- Access assistance with her employer, so Grandma Rose could have time with Rebecca and bury her daughter. KMI also expedited access to daycare so Grandma Rose could keep her job.
- End Jane’s lease, get her deposit returned, and pack up her apartment.
- Navigate multiple court proceedings — criminal court and civil court, victim impact statement, a protection order, and more.
Most importantly, Kids Matter helped Grandma Rose become Rebecca's legal guardian, so Rebecca can heal and thrive as she grows up.
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We've teamed up with WisTAF and other nonprofits to advocate for increased civil legal aid. Follow along with the campaign on social media using #OppositeOfPoverty, and click the button below to hear from more people like Grandma Rose.
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Answering the Call
by Lance Jones, CASA Program Manager
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I am an advocate for Milwaukee's children, with an office on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. I can't help thinking about the everyday heroes that I know—people who help Milwaukee's kids.
Who are these everyday heroes?
Some of them stand for youth by speaking up for them, just as Dr. King spoke up for the poor, the silent and disenfranchised of all ages. Our CASA volunteers are tireless advocates for youth and families. To me, this service is in the the spirit of Dr. King.
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Read more of Lance's reflection. | | |
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Martin Luther King Day is known as a national day of service, but it doesn't have to be the only time you volunteer!
If you want to have a major impact on a child's life, consider becoming a CASA volunteer. You can discover upcoming trainings and other important information on our website. Feel free to contact volunteer@kidsmatterinc.org if you have any questions!
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The National CASA/GAL Network Author Book Series begins with The Shadow in Our Lives: One Family's Recovery from Child Sexual Abuse. The book is written by Tracey Wilson Heisler, MA, who is the Executive Director of CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) in New Jersey.
In this compelling memoir, Heisler takes readers through her family’s journey, from the initial discovery of abuse to the stages of recovery. She provides a candid reflection on her actions, sharing both what she did right and what she now wishes she had done differently. Part memoir and part self-help guide, The Shadow in Our Lives is an essential read for anyone who suspects abuse or works with victims and families.
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This month's book club will be meeting virtually on Tuesday, January 21, with two session options at 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. CT. The author will be discussing the book in a webinar on Wednesday, January 29, at 12 p.m. CT. Click the buttons below to register for the book club and/or the author discussion. | |
Community Partner Shoutouts | |
Hooray for Safelite Auto Glass's regional leadership team! They spent an afternoon putting together skateboards to give to our kids, and we are so grateful to them for brightening the lives of foster and kinship youth. | How do you help a hundred foster kids during the coldest months of the year? By teaming up with your neighborhood and friends and assembling Fostering Hope backpacks, of course! Thank you so much to the Barbour family for spearheading this amazing effort in Mequon for the last FIVE years. | |
Give it up for this amazing mother-daughter duo! Lori and Joan collected household items like pillows, bedding, cookware sets, and so much more for foster kids who are aging out and transitioning to independent living. Their incredibly thoughtful donation is going to help our teens have a strong start to their adult lives! | A special shout-out to Stacey and Kathy at Meijer 292 in Greenfield for supporting #KidsMatterInc! We are so very thankful for your store's kindness and generosity in helping our children. | |
Are you raising someone else's child and looking for more support? Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter that is tailored just for you, or join our Wisconsin Grandfamilies Matter group on Facebook.
Be sure to follow us on social media for regular updates and helpful information!
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