I am Kathy Pierre. I created Love Matters Inc in 2018 as an Ode to my daughter who was killed
in 1991, as a victim of family violence. I was in a very bad domestic violence relationship that
nearly killed me. Although domestic and family violence are now being recognized, we are still
losing many people in our community to both. Women and children usually catch the brunt of
most of the violence.Family violence and domestic violence is real in urban communities as well
as prominent ones. I remember domestic violence was not something that law enforcement
dealt with unless you were killed in the 80’s and 90’s.
There were little to no resources back
then. When the police were called men were told to take a walk and cool off. As a survivor of
domestic violence I met other women survivors and some still in abusive situations who faced
similar challenges. Communities continue to struggle with shame and secrecy when it comes to
domestic and family abuse. Many women and children become homeless fleeing from their
homes. Many victims have children and other family members that struggle with post traumatic
stress disorder and other mental health issues.
I wanted to create a program that can assist
them with the resources they need whether they leave or stay. I wanted to give these families a
voice. Love Matters Inc not only addresses the issues of the victims, we also assist the people
that are struggling with using violence as a way to deal with their issues. We at Love Matters Inc
believe that mental health plays a role in how people respond to issues or crises. We are here to
empower those who may feel broken from life's challenges by building resiliency, encouraging
and putting programs and policies in place that creates a culture of caring that protects our
families mental and physical health. We intend to assist these families with the tools and
assistance they need to live a vibrant life in their communities.