Steps for Safety
May 7th, 2023
Albany, Buffalo, Long Island and Virtual
Students from Albany, Buffalo, and Long Island will team up on May 7th, which is Bereaved Mother’s Day, where students in each location will collectively run or walk 23 miles in memory of the 23 children, like Kyra Franchetti, who were murdered by an abusive parent due to the continued failings of New York Family Court. This is a free and family friendly event.
Why are you running/walking Elmo in a stroller around a track on May 7th?
Members and friends of Kyra’s Champions Student Advocacy Program, comprised of middle and high school students, will come together to run/walk/push Kyra’s stroller with her Elmo doll for 23 miles around high school tracks in Long Island and Buffalo. Each student will walk one mile in memory of each murdered child.
The students are demanding the immediate passage of Kyra’s Law (A.3342A/S.3170A) to protect children in custody cases from abusive parents. Kyra’s Law has wide bipartisan support from lawmakers all around New York State, as well as support from top domestic violence organizations including the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Prevent Child Abuse New York.
We aim to raise awareness of the failings of New York Family Court, the victims affected by it, and the desire to make positive changes through legislation.
Bereaved Mother’s Day recognizes all the Moms - and we recognize Dads, too - who have experienced the grief and trauma caused by the loss of their baby or child.
Kyra’s Elmo doll was her favorite toy.
⬇️ SIGN UP FOR STEPS FOR SAFETY BELOW ⬇️
Why Should YOU Participate in Steps for Safety?
Who is Kyra?
One of the 23 murdered children is Kyra Franchetti. Kyra was only 2 years old when she was ordered by the court to have unsupervised visits with her father, despite repeated reports and eyewitness accounts of his anger and rage issues, suicidal ideation, stalking and history of coercive tactics and abuse. Days after the court granted her abusive father overnight visits, Kyra was shot to death while she slept by her father. And, Kyra’s murder… just like the 22 other children… was entirely preventable.
Why do we seek change?
Since 2016, 23 New York children have been murdered by their own parent during a custody case, divorce, or separation. 23 children. 23 burials. 23 lives needless destroyed. And, this horrific number does not take into account the staggering number of children who are court-ordered into the home of a parent who is physically, sexually, or emotionally abusing them due to the continued failings of New York’s divorce/family courts.
Peer-reviewed research studies confirms our divorce/family court system gets most custody cases involving abuse dangerously wrong.
Children have the right to live safely in their homes and communities. They deserve to be kept free from harm, even when their parents become abusive. That’s what our judicial system is intended to do. However, in every courthouse in every county in New York, courts fail our children at epidemic rates.
This is why we NEED Kyra’s Law NOW! And, your participation will help get this bill to the finish line!
Who are we?
Kyra’s Champions is an organization that is BY kids and FOR kids. We focus on legislative and policy initiatives on the federal and state levels to ensure children and their safety are top priorities in our family court systems.
Our mission is to stop child abuse and child murders. We advocate for changes that promote and protect children and families at risk of family violence. Kyra’s Champions enjoys multi-partisan support as our efforts to protect children speak to all political parties.
We need your help and support to ensure our voices are heard and that laws are passed to protect at-risk children.
Join Steps for Safety
THANK YOU for your interest in Steps for Safety! Fill out this form, and we will be in touch with more information.
For students/participants - You need to be able to run or walk one mile. Speed is NOT the objective. The most important element is honoring the memories of the 23 children who were killed, and their families, who desperately miss them.
You are welcome to stay for the entire event and cheer on your friends and fellow runners/walkers.
For parents/guardians - Want to do the mile with your child(ren)? Can siblings participate? Sure! If they say yes, we say yes. This is a family event, and we would love to have supporters of Kyra’s Law participate.
Want to join us virtually? For those who do not live in Albany, Buffalo, or Long Island, YES, you can join us in Steps for Safety virtually!
Run or walk a mile wherever in the world you are, and help us fundraise to pass Kyra’s Law!
Complete the form and select “Virtually,” and we will get back to you.
Still have questions? Contact us: info@kyraschampions.org.
