Helping families in the aftermath of a Suicide, or Suicide Attempt.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, WE STAND WITH YOU!
WE CAN HELP!
Our story
About Us
After suffering from the Suicide deaths of my brother Kevin in 2003, my late wife Jen in 2013, and a Suicide attempt by our son who was 10 years old at the time in 2023 , my wife Allison, and I found ourselves in a helpless, hopeless, and paralyzing moment.
Tragedy was averted in 2023, John Jr. is Alive Thank God! As he was on his way to get help he needed, the reality started to set in for Allison, and I. As we stared blankly at each other, holding our 6 year old daughter JoJo as tight as we could we were motionless paralyzed in fear, and emotion as we came to grips with just had happened.
Allison truly was a Hero, she saved Juniors life, but there was no celebrating. When the ambulance left with Jr. he was on his way to get help that he needed, the nightmare, and reality hit hard. Once we found the words we were able to talk to each other, we realized our family needed help, we reached out for help, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. As the hours, and days started to pass the next wave was hitting. Ripple effects, we were struggling, and it felt as if there was no help from the outside for our family. We were in crisis, we were trying to find any solid ground to step on but found none. No one checking on us, no one to help calm us. We found ourselves with no food in the house, the only mail, and phone calls we were receiving were disconnection notices, and bill collections. How do you move onward, with no one advocating for you? How do we express what we were feeling inside ourselves?
Stop the Stigma Surrounding Suicide
The sad part is our story is not unlike many others out there, the exact details may be unique to us, but many of the families affected by a Suicide death, or a Suicide attempt can relate. We must be the change we need. The Cars4Kev Foundation created, and funds the following programs.
Crisis Crew: Much needed, shocking, and the first step to begin the healing process for families.
Once we are made aware of the need we will come in, and help the families after a Suicide, or a Suicide attempt.
We will help do cleanup if needed, replace bedding, furniture, and repairs all with compassion so the families can learn to live again.
CareCamp:
Free camping events throughout the year for families, and friends affected by Suicide. All food, facility, campers, and festivities are all provided at no cost to survivors, and families by Cars4Kev.
Meals2Heal:
The most essential part of healing is properly eating. In the case of such a life changing traumatic event it is very easy to find yourself not eating. Meals2Heal will bring meals daily to families immediately after a Suicide, or Suicide attempt for as long as needed. This will also provide the opportunity to check in on them and see if them and see if there are things they may need. This program is provided at no cost to the families and funded by Cars4Kev.
Cars4Kev Mental Health Center "Hope Hub":
This is a 5000 square foot building that we can house a call center, offices, meeting rooms, and is on the grounds of CareCamp.
Where did the name Cars4Kev come from?
The Cars4Kev name came while driving on a family trip. If you listen to satellite radio you probably heard the ad for kars4kids which has a catchy jingle to it. Frustrated with the lack of help we had received, I asked Allison "where the heck do their donations go? Our 10 year old son nearly took his life, he's a kid, we received no help!" At the time I was trying to write a book about my brother Kevin who took his life 20 years earlier. I became emotional and said why not cars4kev? Why can't we form a nonprofit that takes donations of cars, and items that people are looking to get rid of and fund the programs that are needed for the families that are forever affected by Suicide!" Allison then said "Cars also stands for Care After Relative Suicide, C.A.R.S.4Kev!" That is where Cars4Kev came from began.
Help cannot wait!
You wouldn't wait for every bone in a persons body to break before you treat their broken arm! So why should it be any different for families suffering from the aftereffects of a Suicide, or Suicide attempt?
sadness and grief: please help us help those that feel helpless cars4kev Outreach
please help us get to those in need!
Volunteer
You can help become one of our Critical Voices to help those in need.
Support Our Programs
Cars4Kev is a nonprofit registered with the State of Minnesota. Our organization funds several vital programs that provide essential help to Families Affected by Suicide. The aftermath is quite often debilitating, help us get to those who need help NOW!
Attend Our Fundraisers
Join us for our annual fundraisers and help us raise funds for our programs. From purchasing Cars4Kev merchandise, auctions, our upcoming Car Show and Drive-In movie night, to our upcoming CareCamp July 17th-19th, 2024
Join our Planning Committee
Do you have knowledge, and wisdom to help our cause? From event planning to administrative tasks, we need volunteers to help us run our programs effectively. Join us and become a cars4kev advocate today.
Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our mission with your friends and family. Follow us on social media and invite others to join our community.
Join Our Team
If you're passionate about making a difference, join our team and become part of the cars4kev family. We're in critical need for dedicated individuals to help us spread the word.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your donation will fund these crucial, and critical programs to families affected by Suicide.