Shannon VanLandingham lost her daughter Claire in 1990 when she was murdered by an ex boyfriend. Claire was a talented and caring person and was beloved by many. Claire’s friends and her mother looked for a way to honor Claire’s memory and founded the nonprofit Claire’s Community, an organization dedicated to eliminating all forms of relationship violence. This goal is addressed through various educational, training and counseling programs spanning new parents and ages kindergarten through adulthood. Participants learn how to recognize problem behaviors and communicate with people at risk. They learn what resources are available in the community and how to advocate for measures that raise awareness of relationship violence and protect victim’s rights. Shannon believes that relationship violence is preventable and Claire’s Community is working hard toward that achievement. Claire lived by a creed: be kind, work hard and give back.
