Mission
The mission of the K.E.Y.A. (Keep Empowering Yourself Abundantly) Foundation is to significantly reduce the rate of Domestic Violence, particularly in teens, through counseling, education, support and advocacy.
Vision
The vision of the K.E.Y.A. Foundation is to end the cycle of Domestic Violence by putting into action programs and activities focused on adolescent children so they grow into adults that have happy Healthy Relationships.
2012
The K.E.Y.A. Foundation was created in honor of Keya Mitchell, who was killed by her abusive husband
2017
The K.E.Y.A. Foundation started raising awareness in the community through presentations on Dating Violence
2019
The K.E.Y.A. Foundation officially received its status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit
Our Story
The vision for the Foundation was birthed in 2012 after the death of Keya Mitchell—cousin of Monika Gauthier, the founder of The K.E.Y.A. Foundation. Keya was 34 years old when she was shot by her abusive husband four times which resulted in her tragic death. Monika founded The K.E.Y.A. Foundation as a way to honor her cousin and to make sure her voice would always heard.
The K.E.Y.A. Foundation
began making an impact in the community by bringing
awareness
to Teen Dating Violence
and
was officially incorporated
as a
501(c)3 non-profit in 2019.
OUR VALUES
What we believe in
The Power of
Community Advocacy
When the community works together to reduce risk factors and foster protective factors, teens are empowered to lead healthy lives and establish Healthy Relationships. The K.E.Y.A. Foundation equips communities to create spaces where the behavioral norms are not tolerant of abuse in dating relationships. These communities create a culture of safety and awareness, where policies are created and enforced to keep teens safe.
Prevention through
Education & Awareness
We raise awareness through virtual and in-person workshops because we believe prevention is the best form of intervention. Teen Dating Violence can be prevented when youth, teens, young adults, family/ friends, and the community have understanding. We teach each of these groups how to identify Healthy Relationships and Dating Violence as well as the laws that protect teens and young adults.
Compassion
To be a champion for someone who is a victim of abuse, you must be compassionate. We provide education as well as access to resources and services to help parents, friends, family members, mentors, etc. become compassionate champions for teens. We show them how to recognize signs of abuse, how to be supportive and understanding, how to engage in low-pressure dialogue, and how to LISTEN.
I made a pact with God that I would do everything in my power to prevent this from happening to others."
Monika Gauthier
Founder | Executive Director | Survivor | Advocate
Monika's story of survival
For over 20 years, Monika has been an advocate for women and children who have experienced Domestic Violence. However, Monika's passion for advocacy was born through her own personal tragedy—the death of her unborn son, Darren. In 1997, Darren died because of a fatal domestic incident between Monika and her abusive boyfriend. Unfortunately, the abuse was exasperated by Monika's silence, the entire time she kept it a secret from her family and friends. Three months after her son’s death, Monika was in another altercation and after trying to defend herself she was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Her charges were reduced to third-degree assault and two years probation. During those two years Monika’s abuser continued to harass and stalk her until one day it just stopped.
Because of her experience, Monika dedicated her life to working with victims of Domestic Violence.
Monika attended Springfield University in Springfield, MA and worked on her degree in Human Services. She became a Child Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and facilitated support groups for victims and their families. Monika continued her career as a Prevention Advocate and facilitated workshops across the State of Connecticut focusing on a range of topics including, Sexual Assault Prevention, Dating Violence Prevention, and Self- Empowerment.
Monika became President of The Women of Color Caucus Against Sexual Assault, she was an Alumni of the Connecticut Chapter of Parent Leadership Training Institute! Monika was so committed to understanding Domestic Violence that she began working with offenders and facilitated the Connecticut Evolve Program.
In 2006, Monika relocated to North Carolina and continued her Advocacy career there. She worked at Domestic Violence Agencies and shelters and took an interest in housing and assisting the homeless. She developed a robust landlord engagement program to streamline the process of securing housing for those without homes and worked with landlords to provide quality, affordable housing. Monika continued her educational pursuits and attended Strayer University to earn a degree in Criminal Justice as well as at Liberty University majoring in Christian Counseling.
Monika also hosts her own radio talk show, “Hey Beautiful”, which airs Fridays at 6:15 pm on IheartRadio, Tune In App Radio and WDRBMedia-The Voice of the Community. The “Hey Beautiful” Radio show was created to Inspire, Empower, Educate as well as provide Resources & bring Awareness to help individuals turn tragedy into triumph, pain into purpose, and to help them transition from victims to survivors. Her goal is for each listener to become a better, Heal-thier person!
Monika also fights violence against women alongside others as an Ambassador for the Mary Kay Foundation. She strives as an Independent Beauty Consultant to help men and women bring their true beauty from their core to their surface.
Monika is the mother of three—a proud Military Mom with two amazing sons serving in the Army National Guard, and an amazing entrepreneurial daughter!
#healing
byhelping
As a survivor of domestic abuse, much of Monika's passion for her work in advocacy is fueled by her personal experiences. However, her commitment to helping others overcome Domestic Violence intensified after the death of her cousin, Keya. She found that the K.E.Y.A. Foundation was a way for her to continue helping others while healing.
Monika's years of training as a Domestic Violence Advocate and additional training in Primary Prevention and Awareness were put to use to create the Foundation. She realized pretty quickly that the key to eradicating Domestic Violence is prevention and decided to make prevention the primary focus of The K.E.Y.A. Foundation. Hence, the Foundation is built on the belief that intervention is best when it's proactive instead of reactive.
Since its inception The K.E.Y.A. Foundation has hoped to bring an end to a silent epidemic, Teen Dating Violence. Monika and The K.E.Y.A. Foundation team work tirelessly to bring awareness by sharing their stories and using their voices to inspire and educate teens, parents, families, and communities all over the country.
