KARA was founded in 2001 to support people, programs, and policies that improve the lives of abused and neglected children. KARA operates with a small active board of directors and advisors, plus the generous efforts of hundreds of student interns and community volunteers.

KARA advocates for at-risk children through its podcasts, social media, presentations, and public discussion to discover better answers for improving the lives of at-risk children. KARA speaks nationally on topics you will find on this website.

For information on KARA’s availability for interviews,

INVISIBLE CHILDREN CAMPUS CONVERSATIONS,

and keynote talks, contact [email protected]

with SPEAKING in the subject line.

Who Will Speak For The Children?

KARA engages policy makers, lawmakers, principals, teachers, social workers, lawyers, judges, police officers, parents, students, health professionals, and the larger community in conversations that will end child abuse & begin healing the millions of children living with trauma caused by abuse.

KARA projects for 2025: 

Providing a fully funded Google Ad grant program to CASAs & other child-friendly nonprofits will help these organizations find volunteers and support for their initiatives and the children they work for.

Checkout KARA’S social media, and current book , and create and launch a new podcast to reach more people to start meaningful conversations bringing constructive change to Child Protection Systems.

Continue offering KARA’s cost-free INVISIBLE CHILDREN Critical Conversations to colleges/universities, large business forums, and community organizations around the country.

Launching the AI driven National Child Abuse and Child Protection Database and Platform for information, answers, and solutions

 

Sign up for our informative,

free weekly Updates here. 

CONTACT KARA: [email protected]

(please mention the topic in Subject Line)

 

Board

Mike Tikkanen: President/Chair and Executive Director: Author of the book Invisible Children, volunteer CASA Guardian ad Litem in Hennepin County since 1996, current and founding board member of CASAMN and Founder & President of KARA.  Mike has owned and operated several companies and arranged the purchase, sale, and financing of over 100 companies.  He is unapologetically and passionately committed to improving the lives of at-risk children.

Advisory Board

Lawrence King: Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lawrence exemplifies how the hard childhood of losing your mother and father at a young age does not have to define you. A graduate of Purdue University, he has worked on campaigns with Nike, Jordan Brand, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the National Urban League. He is committed to helping nonprofits serving youth succeed and grow with the help of the digital world.

Lawrence has spent countless hours mentoring underserved youth in his community. Working with KARA is the most gratifying work because of our impact and voice on mental health, financial literacy, and child wellbeing.

Jarred Van Horn: Jarred is a Student Ambassador at Dakota County Technical College and a past Governing Council Alternate at LeadMN (MN State College Student Association). He recently launched and managed a nonprofit organization focused on student mental health (SEEDS OF SUCCESS). He’s a determined individual with a passion & dreams for creating positive change in the world.

Al Innamorato: After over 40 years in leadership positions in the corporate and investment world, Al is returning to his academic roots, which started with research at the Human Issues Institute at the University of Pennsylvania while doing graduate work at Villanova University. His executive leadership positions include Cendant Corporation, Ernst & Young, Microsoft, Dendrite, Scholastic, and the Fulcrum Management Group.  Al has led global system and process implementations, managed resources in numerous countries, and served on the Oracle Hyperion Sig Board of Directors. He has Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Villanova University.

 

 

LINK TO KIDS AT RISK ACTION / KARA / INVISIBLE CHILDREN HISTORY

 

 

KARA Primary Sponsors

KARA would like to thank the following

individuals and companies for their support.

To support our mission, you can

donate your resources or volunteer your time.

THANK YOU

Highland Bank

Heintz & Clark Accounting

Edina Federated Women’s Foundation

Sunrise Banks

Schwab

Auction Masters

Spire Credit Union

& Many Many Minnesota Rotaries

THANK YOU TO THE RIIPEN ORGANIZATION &

THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR

HELPING KARA IN OUR EFFORTS TO DISCOVER AND

DELIVER THE INFORMATION KARA NEEDS TO KEEP COMMUNITIES INFORMED

ABOUT THE DEPTH AND SCOPE OF CHILD ABUSE AND TRAUMA IN OUR NATION TODAY:

University of MN

Arizona State University

Cambrian College

Capella University

RMIT University

Bay Path University

University of Sterling

Durham University

Cape Breton University

Northeastern University

The American Women’s College at Baypath University

Concordia University St Paul MN

University of North Dakota

Keuka College

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#ConcordiaUniversityStPaulMN

#UniversityofNorthDakota

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#CHILDABUSE

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#VOLUNTEERS

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#COURTAPPOINTEDSPECIALADVOCATE