Helping crime victims recover from trauma is a team effort – that’s why P.S. You’re My Hero partners with the St. Clair County Crime Victims’ Rights Office and the Prosecutor’s Office to make victims whole.
PSYMH was founded by Mara McCalmon in the wake of her own tragedy in 2010 – her husband, Paul Skinner, was murdered defending his wife from a brutal home invasion and attack. Going through the criminal justice system herself as a victim, McCalmon vowed to help others experiencing similar tragedies.
The Victims’ Rights Office guides victims through the criminal justice system by reminding victims of court dates, informing them about the criminal justice process, accompanying them to and from court hearings, keeping victims informed of updates in their offenders’ cases, and connecting victims with resources.
The St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office reviews, authorizes, and prosecutes individuals who violate state and county laws, honoring the rights of victims and the accused. While they are independent of the Victims’ Rights Office, they work with the office to ensure all parties receive justice according to the law.
McCalmon and PSYMH first partnered with the Victims’ Rights Office to open a comfort room in the St. Clair County Courthouse. Stocked with bottled water, snacks, and beverages, victims can rest in the comfort room between court hearings, talk with victims’ rights advocates, and pet the office’s therapy dog, Carbon.
“Mara is a kindness machine and an advocate,” said St. Clair County Prosecutor Mike Wendling. “If things aren’t going fairly for a victim in the criminal justice system, she will be the first one in my office telling me exactly what she thinks I should be doing. And we pay attention.”
PSYMH pays for all of Carbon’s expenses, including food, treats, toys, and medical care. Carbon provides comfort to victims and staff by hanging out in the Victims’ Rights Office. He also lies at child victims’ feet while they testify in court, which helps keep children calm so they can answer prosecutors’ and the defense attorneys’ questions.
The Victims’ Rights Office and PSYMH also work together to provide financial assistance to crime victims to pay for whatever they may need – meals, gas, rent, groceries, medical and counseling bills, home repairs and safety systems, funeral expenses, and more. Because it’s a nonprofit, PSYMH can assist quickly, without the red tape of government-funded programs.
“It's the little things that P.S. You’re My Hero covers that make the biggest difference,” said St. Clair County Victims’ Rights Coordinator Cortney Carl. “When victims are sitting in court day after day, they don't have to worry about eating. Or, it’s buying door locks or security systems so victims can have a sense of safety.”
Crime victims experience immense physical and mental trauma, as well as a financial burden, as they deal with the immediate aftermath of a crime and the sometimes long, tedious process of the criminal justice system.
“Victims don't ask to be thrown into the criminal justice system. They don't know this system a lot of times, and for so many victims, the mental toll that it takes on them is overwhelming because there's so many twists and turns that can happen. There are appeals, there are preliminary examinations, there are adjournments, there are other motion hearings. They're asked to come into court so many times. And then that leads into the financial burden of, they have to take off work for this court hearing and this court hearing,” Carls said.
“It's a ripple effect. If it takes a toll on their mental health, that's going to take a toll on their physical health. So, it all affects everything in their lives when they're victim of a crime.”
How You Can Help Crime Victims
There are multiple ways businesses and individuals can donate their time, money or support to P.S. You’re My Hero:

Not all heroes wear capes – but some do have tails! Carbon, a therapy dog, provides comfort to St. Clair County child crime victims, thanks to generous support from nonprofit P.S. You’re My Hero (PSYMH).
Carbon sits at child crime victims’ feet while they testify in court, providing much-needed comfort and courage as they face the people who allegedly harmed them.
“We're asking children to testify to things that most adults can't testify to, and in front of the person who did this to them,” said St. Clair County Victims’ Rights Coordinator Cortney Carl. “So, they're already anxious. They're already scared, and Carbon is there to distract them from that.”
Carbon also helps children remain calm while they testify, ensuring court proceedings go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“It works both ways. If a child is able to remain calm on the stand and answer questions, that helps the defense attorney and prosecutor. They're able to ask their questions that they need to, instead of a kid who can't answer any questions and clams up,” Carl said.
Carl said the 4-year-old black lab/golden retriever mix loves helping people.
“Carbon is every bit of puppy. He is a fun-loving, attention-seeking dog,” she said. “He wants to be where the people are, which makes it perfect for the job that he has to do.”
All of Carbon’s expenses – including food, treats, toys, and veterinary care – are paid for through P.S. You’re My Hero. You can support our mission by donating to the Carbon fund.
More About PSYMH and How You Can Support Crime Victims
PSYMH provides direct financial assistance to St. Clair County crime victims and their families for various life needs, including rent, utilities, groceries, medical bills, therapy, gas and meals for court hearings, and more. 
The nonprofit also funds the Victims’ Rights’ offices comfort room – a place for crime victims and their families to eat, rest, and relax between court hearings.
There are multiple ways businesses and individuals can donate their time, money or support: 

• Donate to the Carbon fund 
• Donate as an individual to support our comfort room and crime victims’ financial assistance 
• Sponsor PSYMH as a business, and receive placement on our digital and print communications 
• Donate to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s PSYMH Endowed Fund 
• Volunteer your time 
• Stay up to date on our fundraising events or spread the word through our Facebook 

Sitting in the sun on a warm summer day clad in a colorful floral dress, Tylar exudes positivity and light. Her cheery attitude and bright appearance belies the years of abuse she endured as a survivor of domestic violence.
Tylar wouldn’t be where she is today without the help of P.S. You’re My Hero (PSYMYH), a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting St. Clair County crime victims.
In partnership with the St. Clair County Victims’ Rights Office, PSYMH provides assists local crime victims and their families as they navigate the criminal justice system and rebuild their lives from the devastating effects of crime. The nonprofit provides highly individualized financial support, including funds for rent, food, utilities, legal expenses, court fees, travel expenses, medical bills, therapy, utilities, or whatever a crime victim may need.
Domestic violence is an unfortunately common crime among the victims PSYMH supports. She endured abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, with whom she used to share an apartment.
Tylar’s ex-boyfriend physically and sexually assaulted her. He controlled her finances and verbally and emotionally abused her. Tylar said she lost weight, and her physical health suffered from the stress of her living situation.
She found it difficult to hold a work-from-home job while living with the abuse. She shared a car with her ex-partner, and so didn’t have reliable transportation for a job outside the home.
“I was being financially, physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically controlled. I wasn’t allowed to see my therapist or psychiatrist. He refused to help me. He demeaned me every single day,” Tylar said. “It was abuse on every single level.”
She almost lost hope, until a friend offered a place to stay at their home for two months while their family was out of town. A community of friends and supporters moved her out of her former apartment and into safety.
But Tylar’s journey wasn’t over yet. Still reeling from the physical and psychological effects of the abuse, she only had two months to find a job and get back on her feet.
That’s when PSYMH stepped in to provide housing and utility assistance so that she could have a safe, stable living situation. Without it, she said she might still be living with abuse.
“P.S. You’re My Hero 100% changed the course of my life,” she said.
‘I’m Happy Again’
Now, Tylar is in a safe living situation with her pets. She has a job that she loves at a physician’s office. She runs a photography and art business for additional income and as a creative outlet. She is more financially, emotionally, and mentally stable than she has been in years.
“I love my life now. I’m happy again,” she said. “I’m not scared. I’m not physically intimidated. It’s so peaceful. It’s such a good feeling.”
Tylar said Mara McCalmon, PSYMH’s founder, was incredibly affirming, and supportive. She made a comforting environment where Tylar felt safe to tell her story.
McCalmon created P.S. You’re Hero after her own experience with the criminal justice system. Herself and her late husband, Paul Skinner, were both victims of a violent crime in Yale in 2010.
Mara shared, “Caring for others has always been innate for me. It was organic for me through my healing process to want to help others. I believe empathy comes from experience, and unfortunately, my traumatic experience created a level of empathy that allows for deep understanding. Through P.S. You’re My Hero and with the support of so many, we are able to not only listen and care, we are able to assist with some of the needs associated with trauma induced experiences. It gives life to help one’s life.”
Tylar also credits the help she received from many friends. She thanked Blue Water Safe Horizons, Turning Point and Lakeshore Legal Aid for legal and domestic survivor assistance.
Now, Tylar shares her story and advocates for survivors of domestic abuse to let others know that they are not alone and that they can escape abuse. Tylar urged anyone who is in an abusive situation to seek help and resources, whether that is a trusted friend, family member, or community resources. She wouldn’t be where she is today without her friends, community agencies and resources, and PSYMH.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to utilize resources and mutual aid,” she said. “Mutual aid has helped me so much.”
How You Can Support Crime Victims Through PSYMH Community members can support the nonprofit’s efforts by donating to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s P.S. You’re My Hero Fund. Made possible through a generous gift from the Acheson Foundation, this endowed fund ensures the financial sustainability of the nonprofit for years to come.
Stay up to date on P.S. You’re My Hero’s events or sign up to volunteer at the nonprofit’s website and Facebook.
If you are experiencing or know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, there are community resources to help:
· Blue Water Safe Horizons: Offers shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse | 24-Hour Crisis Line: 888-985-5538 | bluewatersafehorizons.org
· St. Clair County Victims’ Rights Office: Independent advocate for crime victims in St. Clair County, providing information and services to assure crime victims’ rights are protected | (810) – 985 – 2301 | St. Clair County Crime Victims’ Rights Office Website
- By Laura Fitzgerald, freelance writer and owner of public relations brand Fitzgerald Creative Services, LLC