Image: Alvin Brook/Founder
The AdHoc Group Against Crime was formed in 1977 when a group of concerned citizens came together to address the unsolved murders of 9 African American women. Alvin Brooks was one of the founding members and led the organization in combating crime and violence in the Kansas City Metropolitan area until the year 2000. At that time, AdHoc merged with Project Neighborhood, which focused on reducing substance abuse among the target population, to form a new entity called Move Up.
Move Up dismantled in December of 2007; however, Mr. Brooks never stopped receiving calls from people reaching out to him for the same help that the AdHoc Group Against Crime once provided. He could not keep up with the demand from all the calls alone. As a result, in June of 2008, some of AdHoc’s previous partners and other concerned individuals formed a Board and acquired a 501c3 to claim the rebirth of the AdHoc Group Against Crime.
ADHOC TODAY
AdHoc to many is Kansas City’s social service emergency room. This reality positions the organization to bring about healing and justice to Kansas City Metro communities. Those that have experienced violence resulting in the loss of life are met with compassion and assurance that they are not alone. AdHoc provides a pathway towards healing, with the help of our licensed counselors, who go into the homes of families and offer therapy.
The AdHoc Group Against Crime serves as a trusted bridge between the community and law enforcement to reduce violence and solve crimes in order to make our neighborhoods safe and secure.
For more than 30 years, Alvin Brooks and AdHoc have served as a liaison between the accused and law enforcement to facilitate solving crimes and bringing justice to crime victims. AdHoc serves as the voice for the families of victims, regularly delivering eulogies at funeral services and even raising money so that poor and indigent families are able to bury their loved ones. From the beginning, AdHoc has maintained a strong relationship with the Kansas City Police Department, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and other law enforcement agencies throughout the metropolitan area. The AdHoc Group Against Crime serves as the trusted bridge between the community and law enforcement. It is also a primary support system for families who are victims of murder or other violent crimes, those dealing with family members who are missing or have run away or simply facing the emotional stress of living in high crime areas.
It was COMBAT Drug Unit former Director, Jim Nunnelly, who first called AdHoc “Kansas City’s social service emergency room.” Like a hospital emergency room, AdHoc responds to traumatic circumstances. Unlike a hospital emergency room, most of the trauma that arrives on AdHoc’s doorstep cannot be fixed with medicine and bandages.
From the beginning, AdHoc has understood that it cannot act alone and has developed many civic partnerships in order to be an effective community resource. AdHoc has enjoyed a unique relationship with the Carter Broadcast Group since 1978. Serving a diverse group of listeners through KPRS 103.3 FM (R&B and Hip Hop), and KPRT 1590 AM (Gospel), AdHoc engages the community in its efforts. AdHoc hosts a call-in show, Voices from Midtown & Beyond, on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. on KPRT, and is on both stations every day reporting missing persons, homicide victims and other community issues.
OUR FUTURE
“AdHoc will continue the legacy of its founder to be the community resource center for the hurting and disenfranchised, while being a symbol of hope and love.”
In honor of Mr. Brooks, AdHoc is turning the page to a new, innovative chapter comprised of unique approaches to addressing trauma, violence, and socio-economic justice, with our opening of The Brooks Institute for Healing and Social Justice in our new office space. The Brooks Institute will honor the legacy of our founder Alvin Brooks, while also promoting programs and policy work that address the root causes of violence in Kansas City. Through The Brooks Institute, AdHoc will continue to be the community resource center for the hurting and disenfranchised, while being a symbol of hope and love. It will also allow us to engage the up-and-coming generations in a new way through partnerships with higher education institutions in Kansas City.
The Brooks Institute will be the name of our new office space, but it will also be so much more. It will act as a bridge. It will be a bridge between
where we are now, and the proactive and preventative place we want to be. It will be a bridge to bring those serving our community through the justice system and social services to additional training in their fields. It will be a bridge to connect students in specific career fields to internships and service learning experiences. It will be a bridge for communities who have been left behind to journey towards socio-economic justice as we partner with these future leaders to shape their lens of the city. We have already begun these partnerships, and look forward to many more.
At The Brooks Institute, AdHoc will create service learning opportunities and internships in collaboration with various regional and national experts in the fields of mental health, criminal justice, and economic development. We will partner alongside local higher education institutions, local businesses, foundations, and workforce development agencies in this endeavor.
At The Brooks Institute we will accomplish the following goals:
Become a multifaceted that produces research on various topics of crime and violence, policy development around criminal justice reform, and other essential topics that inspire action. We believe this will prepare students for positions beyond what is traditionally held in the criminal and social justice fields, including community development and behavioral health.
Actively engage students involved in the think tank environment with the community in discussion on crime that can guide them in their roles and responsibilities in creating a safer and more productive community.
Offer internships and service learning opportunities to give future leaders the relational and experiential knowledge they will need to serve effectively in the city.
AdHoc will continue to offer our wide range of services to the hundreds of individuals that come through the doors each month requesting to have their needs met. Those services are multi-dimensional and AdHoc is committed to helping each individual who requests assistance. The Brooks Institute will add depth to what we currently offer as we strive to bring healing and justice to the Kansas City community.