Kindred Place Secures Vital VOCA Funding After Swift Rebuilding Efforts Under New Leadership

When Kindred Place abruptly paused operations in March 2024, the future of its longstanding role as a vital counseling and trauma recovery center for victims of crime in Memphis was uncertain. With its VOCA (Victims of Criminal Acts) grant from the State of Tennessee in jeopardy, the organization stood on the brink of losing critical funding that had supported hundreds of children and families across the region.

That changed when SchoolSeed Foundation stepped in. Under the leadership of its President and CEO Vincent J. McCaskill, SchoolSeed acquired Kindred Place and began the delicate work of restoring services, rebuilding credibility, and stabilizing operations. One of the first urgent matters: safeguarding the remaining VOCA funding for 2024.

“Losing the VOCA grant would have meant closing the doors permanently on services our community desperately needs,” said McCaskill. “We were determined not to let that happen. I knew if we could demonstrate our commitment and progress, we’d earn the trust back.”

McCaskill worked directly with officials in the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs to preserve the funding for the remainder of the year. However, there was no assurance that Kindred Place would be eligible for continued support beyond 2024. The challenge was clear: reopen and prove the center’s impact with urgency and excellence.

By January 27, 2025, Kindred Place reopened its doors with a renewed mission and a dynamic new leadership team led by Dr. Sharon Griffin, Executive Director of Program Implementation. In just a few short months, nearly 100 individuals have already received counseling and therapeutic services, demonstrating not only demand but also operational readiness.

In March 2025, McCaskill extended an invitation to Meribeth Howell, VOCA Program Manager with the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice, to visit Kindred Place and see the transformation firsthand. Howell accepted, visiting the Memphis facility and spending time with staff, clients, and leadership.

What she saw left a lasting impression.

“I am so impressed to see how quickly and efficiently this program has been restored,” Howell said following her visit. “During my visit, it was clear to see how passionate the Kindred Place staff are about this program and how important this resource is to this community. I look forward to seeing how Kindred Place will continue to grow and thrive. I consider myself lucky to be even a small part of it.”

As a result of that successful visit and the remarkable progress made, Kindred Place has now officially secured $212,000 VOCA funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year — a major milestone for the organization’s continued growth.

“This is a victory for Memphis,” said McCaskill. “It means that survivors of violence and trauma will have a place to go. It means children and families won’t be left behind. And it affirms that when we work together, we can restore hope and build something stronger than before.”

Dr. Griffin echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of collaboration and dedication. “We reopened Kindred Place not just as a service center, but as a symbol of resilience,” she said. “This team is devoted to healing, to safety, and to being a resource that lifts families. Securing VOCA funding is an affirmation that we’re on the right path — and we’re only just getting started.”

With renewed funding and a reinvigorated team, Kindred Place is poised to expand its reach, delivering life-changing counseling services and trauma-informed care to victims of crime throughout the Memphis region.

As McCaskill put it, “We don’t see this as the finish line — it’s the beginning of a new chapter.”