"If you see something......say something."
Our nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the lives and communication links for families grieving the violent loss of a child or family member. We strive to create positive change in our community through various initiatives and programs. Join us in making a difference today.
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The 2024 Summit Conference will be co-hosted by former Cincinnati native Barbaranne Hill-Irving of Tampa Bay, Florida. Ms. Hill-Irving will again lead an intense discussion with an audience of survivors.
Our special guest will be the 45th United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Mr. Kenneth L. Parker.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Department as a community partner has received a shipment of UCanSpeakForMe’s Cold Case Playing Cards. Major G. Michael Craft accepted the cards from Ms. Hope Dudley.
The playing cards are used to gather tips on unsolved cases by many law enforcement agencies in Southwestern Ohio, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, and Northern Kentucky.
On October 18, 2023 at the Federal Court House in downtown Cincinnati a number of law enforcement and community persons were honored for their bravery and community advocacy. The presentations were made by Kenneth L. Parker United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.
Ms. Hope Dudley, Founder and CEO of UCanSpeakForMe, were among those recognized for her continued dedication to helping families that have children and relatives that became victims of homicides in Southern Ohio.
In a recent podcast UCanSpeakForMe, specifically Ms. Hope Dudley, was mentioned as an effective advocate for families affected by crime in Ohio. The interview was presented on the September 30, 2023 “Mike Allen Midday” podcast with former Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil.
Mr. Neil recalled supporting Ms. Dudley. Mr. Neil said “we successfully closed 5 of those cold cases from tips that we received” (because of the Cold Case Cards).
On March 28, 2023 UCanSpeakForMe’s local forum in association with the National Crime Victims Rights Week was an overwhelming success.
There were uplifting testimonials from longtime UCanSpeakForMe volunteers about their closed homicide cases. One being a riveting remembrance of her daughter, Cassandra Betts, by Ms. Barbaranne Hill-Irving now residing in Florida. Ms. Irving traveled back to her home State of Ohio to serve as one of the honorary hosts for this event
No parent should have to bury their child. Join us be a voice for families affected by senseless gun violence.
Unfortunately, another name and face has been added to the UCanSpeakForMe Cold Case Posters for Hamilton County.
Treshawn Smith was killed on October 22, 2022 on Elm and W. Wyoming Avenues. The Smith family, in coordination with UCanSpeakForMe, sponsored a “Peace March” in remembrance of this tragic loss of a valued family member, and another life lost to senseless violence. Thank you to everyone that attended.
There are daily shootings on our streets, and keeping focus could become a blur. To a few, it's only something that happens to someone else. Until they get police officers knocking on their door with news of a tragedy.
In the coming months UCanSpeakForMe will attempt to have candid conversations with professionals in the City and County communities explaining what they do, and how their services matter.
Please share these stories with family and friends.
See something.........say something.
The human species has spent more than a 100 generations plagued by violence.
We steal from one another. We concoct new ways to enslave and restrict the human rights of our neighbors. In our different communities there is poverty, drug addiction, mental health issues, and domestic violence. For far too long minor disputes have escalated into angry confrontations where death is the only solution.
Firearm sales have soared, resulting in the proliferation of tens of millions of new guns. A number of these same guns made their way into the possession of children. The diminished respect for life is being viewed like a video game that can be turned off then rebooted with no consequences. In Cincinnati, Ohio a total of 92 murders were reported in the city in 2020. Well above the national homicide rate of 6.5 murders per 100,000 according to the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report.
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic has been a deterrent to the violence. We all look forward to the promises of a new year with a fresh beginning. So far there have been two new homicides in Cincinnati. Two new pictures have been added to our Unsolved Murders Posters.
All is not lost.
Thanks to Cincinnati Detectives an arrest has been made in one of those homicides. Maybe it’s too much to ask why not try peace. What if we choose to show love and respect towards one another in 2023. If this is too high a hurdle to get over……try talking out any disagreements. At best, just try walking away from possible violent confrontations.
Hope Dudley
UCanSpeakForMe Founder/CEO
Not even the COVID-19 pandemic has been a deterrent to violence. New pictures are added to our Unsolved Murders Posters much too often.
Families are empowered by one another's strength to publicly remember their lost of a family member. Justice will be found by keeping their memories alive.
UCanSpeakForMe's latest Cold Case Poster asks the question: "Can you help find who killed me?". This newest poster highlights the lost lives of women in Hamilton and Butler counties.
UCanSpeakForMe CEO has been in high demand to address families in Ohio counties about the need to remain proactive with local law enforcement authorities using organizational products.
UCanSpeakForMe is reaching more families by expanding into additional Ohio counties. Sergeant Rob Whitlock accepts a shipment of UCan Cold Case Posters from Ms. Dudley.
CEO Hope Dudley works overtime to deliver a fresh patch of UCanSpeakForMe Cold Case Playing Cards to the Hamilton County Justice Center. This unique design is intended to provide authorities with tips to unsolved cases.
"Tis the season to be......." For most families the upcoming holiday celebrations will take on a minus one effect. UCan will again sponsor holiday gatherings for families. Continue to check this site for updates.
The WLWT-TV public affairs program ISSUES has received a first place award from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for a program featuring UCanSpeakForMe CEO Hope Dudley.
The program won for Best Minority Issues Coverage. The award will be presented on August 25th in Cincinnati to the television station. The judges comments said: "A compelling portrait of a grieving mother who turned that grief into action and, more than 10 years after her son's unsolved murder, has created a community movement that seeks justice and heals for all.
We would like to extend our congratulations to one of our media partners for their continued support of our stop the violence message. The WLWT story can be viewed by going to our "What's New" page and clicking on the video called "The Tears You Don't See".
IN OTHER NEWS
UCanSpeakForMe has been contacted to extend it's family advocacy resources to the community of Trotwood, Ohio located in the Dayton area. A college student and a basketball player, Elmer Rucker was sitting in a car with his friend when they were both gunned down on April 18th.
"He was a good student. As far as I'm concerned, the perfect child. It's a big loss for me," Elmer Rucker Sr. said.
While the afternoon vigil in Trotwood was a time to be with loved ones, it was also a call for help with his son's murder investigation.
"It's taking some time and taking too long for me. So I needed to do something. I'm asking the public's for help," said Rucker Sr. He hopes keeping his son's name out in the public will help convince someone to come forward with information.
After the vigil, supporters like Hope Dudley, who also lost a son to gun violence, took to the streets to hand out flyers with Rucker's photograph.
"We want to keep his face out there so people would know that this young man was murdered in this location," Dudley said.
With 11 weeks since his Rucker's death and no suspects in custody, both Dudley and Rucker Sr. hope the public will speak up. "Somebody knows something and it can help," he said.
25-year-old Antonio Collins was also gunned down in the car with Rucker.
The WDTN-TV story can be viewed at https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/father-pleads-for-public-s-help-in-son-s-trotwood-shooting-death/1274637104
UCanSpeakForMe continues to receive requests from families throughout the southern counties of Ohio for assistance and resource information.
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you. Click the "What's New" button for new and upcoming events.
230 Northland Boulevard, Suite #231, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, United States
Open today | 10:00 am – 05:00 pm |
Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed