A Kansas City Non- Profit Organization
Mission To restore love, faith, and hope to parentless children; and to conquer adversaries by providing resources and a community of support.
Vision To impact, support, and introduce children of homicide victims to healing and violence prevention in aim to tackle mental health issues and decrease the generational cycles of violence in our communities.
Kansas City's People Choice Awards
2020 Best Non-Profit Organization
MEET THE TEAM
Founder, Executive Director
Sunnie Carney
Sunnie Carney was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications in 2017. In 2024, she completed her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is currently pursuing her Doctorate at Rockhurst University.
As a child of a homicide victim, Sunnie’s personal journey fuels her deep passion for advocacy, healing, and youth empowerment. She founded Children of Homicide Victims (COHV) to bring restoration, love, and support to children and families impacted by violent loss.
Outside of COHV, Sunnie is a devoted member of The Refuge KC, where she leads as the Youth Director of the Refuge Little League Youth Ministry. Her life’s mission is to be a voice for the unheard, a light in dark places, and a source of healing that transforms wounded hearts and minds.
Family Support Coordinator
Ronnie Morgan
Ronniesha, affectionately known as Ronnie, is a proud Kansas City, Missouri native and a child of a homicide victim. After losing her father in 2015, she found purpose in standing in the gap for children who have experienced similar loss.
In addition to her role with COHV, Ronnie is the owner of an independent bakery and is deeply rooted in her community. She actively participates in local events and networking opportunities, using her platform to uplift and connect with others.
Ronnie’s mission is to bring love, presence, and support to children navigating life without their parents—helping to fill the void with compassion and community.
Lead Therapist
LaShanda Milner
LPC, CGRS
LaShanda Milner is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a deep passion for supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and wholeness. As the Lead Therapist for Children of Homicide Victims, she brings years of experience working with children, teens, and adults as they navigate life’s most challenging moments.
LaShanda is the founder of Mary’s Foundation of Hope, an organization dedicated to providing therapeutic support and hope for those in need. Her approach is strengths-based and non-judgmental, grounded in evidence-based practices that foster safety, autonomy, and transformation.
Specializing in grief, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges, LaShanda empowers individuals and groups with practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Through her work, she offers not only clinical expertise but also compassion and the right action steps toward renewed hope and lasting healing
Administrative Assistant
Jayla Rainey
Jayla was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she earned a B.A. in Health Sciences. With a strong background in community outreach, Jayla is passionate about uplifting others and serving as a resource especially through the power of social media.
With experience working as a Behavioral Health Interventionist, Jayla plans to further her education in the field of therapy. Her heart for healing and commitment to mental wellness continue to drive her purpose as she supports the mission of COHV and advocates for youth impacted by trauma.
Executive Assistant
Nicki Ward
Nicki Ward
Raised in the heart of Kansas City, Nicki is deeply tied to her community, offering a robust background in administrative support, direct care, and youth advocacy. With extensive professional experience spanning mental health support and organizational operations, she excels at keeping initiatives running smoothly while championing the people behind the mission.
As a survivor whose personal journey touches the very realities the organization fights against, Nicki's deep-rooted empathy and resilience fuel her unyielding passion for healing, restoration, and empowerment. She brings a steady, collaborative spirit to Children of Homicide Victims (COHV), committed to ensuring families and children impacted by violent loss find a compassionate pathway forward.
Outside of her work with COHV, Nicki pours her heart into her family and community, balancing her commitment to others with creative pursuits like writing and storytelling. Her life’s mission is to stand as a reliable source of strength, foster enduring connections, and build spaces where hope and renewal can take root.
