No More C.R.A.P.©

No More C.R.A.P.© (Children Ripped Apart from Parents) is a 501c3 organization based in Minnesota that is dedicated to fulfilling its mission and being intentionally responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Our inception year of anonymous volunteer efforts began in 2006. This path to provide nuggets of therapeutic healing with bears and journals was launched publicly in 2011. What started out as simple gifts to abused and kidnapped children has transformed into a non-profit organization. 

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

Lived experiences contribute to shaping our thoughts and actions. After surviving from the trauma of child abuse and kidnapping (read kidnapping story), the next step for our executive director, Dr. Rolanda Schmidt, was to map out a plan of prevention.

According to the United States Accountability Office, approximately five children die each day as a result of child abuse. In 2018, more than 3 million child abuse cases were reported (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services) and approximately 674,000 substantiated. One child abuse case is too many, and the same is true of children being ripped from their parents. Sadly, The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports an alarming growth rate in kidnapping cases each year.  

Even more painful, every 11 minutes, someone dies of suicide (CDC). Within that ratio, suicide is the second leading cause of death in black children ages 10-14 (NIMH), and third in ages 15-19. The stigmas of suicide in minority communities continue to rise and is simply unacceptable. Each of these painful issues contribute to children ripped apart from parents. Let's work together to mend these heart-wrenching seams. 

GIOVANNI'S STORY

In October 2019, Rolanda Schmidt's 18 year old son Giovanni took his life after a relationship break-up. This tragic event led to expounding our mission to include preventing suicide within diverse families.  We are elated to have gained official non-profit status just a few days shy of Giovanni's first anniversary in heaven.

No More C.R.A.P.© seeks to end the cycle of suicide, child abuse, and kidnapping.  The emotional, mental, and physical scars associated with each of these atrocities are painful. By helping one child at a time, the path to strengthening and restoring the family bond is cultivated.