Anyone ever asked you, if you had a million dollars how would you spend it? I have thought about that a million times and after learning about No More Victims, Inc. I now know a big portion of that million dollars would go to support their work and get this program in every major city in the country. No More Victims, Inc. (NMVI), is a non-profit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organization that was created in 1993 by Ms. Marilyn Gambrell, a former Texas parole officer, to address the needs and issues of children experiencing the trauma of parental incarceration. She created the NMVI “healing the CHILD within” Program for this most at-risk population of children. “I witnessed how devastated children were as they watched their mothers and/or fathers being arrested. Often times, the little ones would try to run after the police car, screaming for their parent(s),” said Gambrell.
As children grow, so does their anger and frustration in coping with parents who are repeatedly incarcerated or incarcerated for long periods of time. Many children are placed in foster care or with grandparents or other relatives, often being separated from their siblings causing more anxiety and fear. Ms. Gambrell made a decision that she had to support this population and help prevent this child from experiencing further heartache and from their anger sending them on a journey that could eventually lead this child into the penitentiary.
The Facts:
Over 1,000 children have enrolled in NMVI since 2000.
Federal data states that of every ten children with a parent in prison, 6 – 9 (60%-90%) end up to the penitentiary.
Of the 1,000 children in NMVI, only 26 participants have gone to prison, less than 3%, as opposed to 60-90%, considering all of the challenges facing the children in their community as previously discussed. Over 700 students have graduated from high school or received a GED!
24 participants currently are in or have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Since 2008 – 2011 100% of NMVI high school seniors graduated.
In 2010 NMVI celebrated it’s first two college graduates matched with two high school valedictorians!
Undoubtedly, Ms. Marilyn Gambrell is truly changing lives and giving back to our community like few others before her. Lifetime Movie Network saw the gem in Gambrell and filmed the story “Fighting the Odds – The Marilyn Gambrell Story. ” The movie is now available on pay per view and DVD visit www.lifetimetv.com.
NMVI was recently featured on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, check out the clip.
While I don’t yet have that million dollars, I am sure you can see why this is certainly one of my top favorite organizations! I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Washington Wizards NBA Star Rashard Lewis and his lovely fiancee, Giovanni Fortes, are asking their wedding guests to support No More Victims, Inc. in lieu of wedding gifts for their upcoming nuptials.
You too can support this great cause, Donate to No More Victims, Inc. Today Click Here! Let’s bring this program to cities across the country!
Read our Charity Spotlight on No More Victims and learn how this nonprofit to an angry high school student to Colombia University for his PhD!
You have done a great job with your website. I am so proud to know such an amazing young women. When will you be coming to Houston? Hope to see you soon. Stay sweet. Hugs, Juana