Roots of Resilience Collective Newsletter: April

Thimery Wimmer

11 Apr 2025 • 3 min read

Spring Has Sprung at ROFRC!

It looks like winter is finally behind us (though in true Midwest fashion, anything can happen). As nature begins to bloom, so does Roots of Resilience Collective! Read on to see what’s budding in our world of advocacy, education, and empowerment.

Child Abuse Prevention Month 💙

At ROFRC, we recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we especially highlight the disproportionate impact of child abuse on Black children. Black children experience higher rates of maltreatment and are overrepresented in the child welfare system—an outcome rooted in systemic inequities.

We are committed to advocating for policy reform and building safe, supportive environments where Black children can thrive. Together, let’s raise awareness, speak truth to injustice, and ensure every child—regardless of background—grows up in a safe, loving home.

👉🏾 Follow us on social media this month to learn how you can support this mission.

Community Tool Highlight: Stay Informed

The current administration has enacted many changes that could impact Black communities. Stay informed with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Executive Order Tracker, which provides:

The legal status of executive actions
In-depth impact analysis on Black communities
Congressional Black Caucus responses and insights

🔗 Check out the Executive Order Tracker

Know of other helpful tools or resources? Send them our way—we’d love to share them with our community.

Welcome Our New Board Member!

We’re thrilled to welcome Frederick (Fred) Brown as the second member of our Board of Directors! Fred is a dedicated entrepreneur and proud father of 12 (yes—TWELVE!) amazing children. With over 15 years of business ownership under his belt, Fred brings a deep passion for supporting children and families, making him a perfect fit for our growing ROFRC family. 👏🏾

When asked why he chose to join ROFRC, Fred shared:

"I aim to teach people how to become self-sufficient in business and use my experience to help others in need. I grew up with a loving family and those who supported me, and I aim to help others find their way like I did."

We’re honored to have Fred’s heart, wisdom, and leadership on this journey with us.
🚨 We’re currently seeking additional board members, including:

1 At-Large Member
All Officer Positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary)

If you're passionate about our mission or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected]. Let’s build together.

Building the Future of ROFRC

We’ve been hard at work laying the foundation for long-term impact! Here’s a quick look at what’s happening behind the scenes:

📌 Incorporation Progress
We’re working with legal counsel to file our Articles of Incorporation and anticipate achieving nonprofit status by the end of the year.

📌 Community Partnerships
We’ve been connecting with local organizations in the Siouxland area to assess community needs and explore how ROFRC can provide targeted, culturally responsive support.

📌 Program Development (Coming Soon!)
We're developing training and support programs rooted in Black experiences and Afrocentric principles, including:

Parenting Classes focused on navigating biased systems
Foster Parent Training to empower Black foster families
Child Welfare 101 for community education and advocacy
Trauma-Informed Practices for professionals and caregivers
Child Development training to promote holistic growth
Family Preservation & Reunification strategies
Culturally Relevant Training for Professionals, grounded in African/African-American epistemologies

We’re just getting started, and there’s more to come!

📧 Know a person or organization we should connect with? Email us: [email protected]

ROFRC in the Community

We believe in being present—not just in spirit but in action. ROFRC will be showing up at local events, volunteering, and engaging with the community throughout the year.

Do you have an event you'd like to see us at? Let us know!
📧 [email protected]

📢 We are now active on Facebook! Follow and share our page, Roots of Resilience Collective, to stay updated on Black history, organizational updates, and advocacy efforts.

This month, we are raising awareness on Child Abuse for Child Abuse Prevention Month. In May, we’ll be sharing insights on Foster Parents and Mental Health, so stay tuned!

Take Action with ROFRC

This month, we’re challenging you to be an active part of the change. Here are three powerful ways to make an impact:

✔️ Have a Conversation – Talk with friends or family about the challenges Black children and families face. Awareness starts with dialogue.

✔️ Advocate Locally – Attend a city council meeting, school board session, or community forum to speak up for policies that support equity and justice.

✔️ Volunteer Your Skills – Whether it’s mentoring youth, offering childcare support, or helping with outreach—your time and talents matter.

Together, we’re planting seeds of change. Let’s grow this movement, one action at a time. 💪🏾

With gratitude,

The Roots of Resilience Collective Team

📩 Contact us at: [email protected]