Our Name
VERONICA'S Voice (VV) is named in remembrance of Veronica April Neverdusky. Veronica was 21 years old in 1993 when she was found murdered in Penn Valley Park. She was the mother of three young children. The case remained unsolved until an arrest was made in March of 2007. Kristy Childs dedicates her work to women and girls caught in commercial sexual exploitation who are without voices.
About Us
VV is Kansas City's only recovery program dedicated solely to victims of prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation. The ability to leave a life of prostitution, drug addiction, and violence, and transition to a new life, free from these abuses, is difficult. The overall goal of VERONICA'S Voice is to offer compassionate and non-judgmental counseling and services through peer, survivor-ran services. VERONICA'S Voice offers individuals who are sexually exploited an opportunity to be educated and empowered to take back their lives.
Clients
VERONICA'S Voice provides services throughout Kansas City Missouri and Kansas. Our clients come from the court system, referrals, outreach programs as well as walk-ins. VV works directly with every client providing individual assessments. Peer counseling, licensed therapists, shelter, food, healthcare, drug treatment and legal advocacy are all offered.
Partnership Possibilities
VERONICA'S Voice is seeking partnerships with existing community organizations and agencies to enable referrals for clients in need of services. VV will also accept referrals from agencies that are in contact with prostituted women and/or commercially sexually exploited girls.
Current Funding for VERONICA'S Voice
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development - National
- McAuley Ministry Fund through Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
- Concepts For Effective Services through Catholic Charities
- Shared Hope International
- Dedicated Monthly Donors
Awards & Recognition
- 2006 January - Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 2005 - Kristy Childs on behalf of VV at the signing of this bill in Washington D.C. with President George W. Bush
- 2004 Resolution of Recognition from Mayor and City Counsel of Kansas City for Veronica's Voice's dedication to community service
- 2004 Proclamation of Recognition from Mayor Kay Barnes for National Business Women's Week
- 2004 Women of the Year - presented to Kristy Childs from the Metropolitan Business & Professional Women of Greater Kansas City
- 2003 Northeast Community Betterment Award - Recognition for enhancing the quality of life in the Independence Plaza Neighborhood
- 2001 Women's Peacepower Amigas Award - 25 women around the world received awards. Kristy Childs (Executive Director, Foundress) received the award in 2001 for her commitment to use her life experiences to eradicate violence against women and children.
Certification
- 2006 Education on the Realities of Prostitution, Sex Trafficking & Commercial Sexual Exploitation - St. Paul, MN
- 2006 Ending Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking - San Fransisco, CA
- 2006 Department of Justice Human Trafficking Rescue Training
- 2006 Missouri Western State University Human Trafficking
- 2006 SAGE's Trauma & Addiction Recovery Paraprofessional Training