Racine city and county aim at stopping crime, partners with national organization

 

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Racine woman is joining the fight to stop violence throughout her area.

Nakeyda Haymer is the new State Lead for Voices of Black Mothers United, a nationwide non-profit.

A non-profit organization which seeks to honor those who were murdered.

Voice of Black Mothers works in conjunction with the city and county of Racine.

The organization was brought on as a branch of the Racine city and county crime reduction initiative.

Haymer acts as a " violence interrupter," finding crime and often arriving on scene to console family members in their worst moments.

"Using a lot of my own resources, you know, like watching Facebook pages, watching Racine scanner pages, just seeing what's going on, what location is there, anybody that might need words of encouragement or hope right now," said Haymer.

Haymer speaks from experience. Her brother was murdered five years ago.

"When it's your family member, when it's your scene to arrive to, and I also know hurt people hurt people," said Haymer

Looking to change that secondary pain to hope, Haymer says she's a part of Voice of Black Mother United for one reason.

"Healing, because when we heal, when the mother heals. The family around her can heal and the community and friends can heal," said Haymer.

The new State Lead says the program is still being structured.

There is a monthly advocacy meeting held every Thursday in Racine at the Martin Luther King Center for mothers or family members who have been affected by violence.