The Justice for Tatjana movement is solidifying itself as a force for justice and victim support reforms with the creation of a new foundation.
The Tatjana Martin Foundation of Hope is a project led by Jason Gaudreault, the partner of Tatjana Martin, who was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband, Vitali Stefanski, in April 2024.
Planning for the foundation has been in the works for a while. Its name was secured a month ago, Gaudreault told The Morning Star, with a group of people sorting out paperwork figuring out who will take on roles such as secretary or treasurer.
After a lot of work, the foundation officially became incorporated on June 6, the same day Martin's daughter and Gaudreault's step-daughter graduated high school.
The foundation will aim to raise funds in order to tackle some of the issues Gaudreault and his step-children experienced in the wake of Martin's death, when Stefanski was out of custody after a 24-hour release, and their safety was a concern.
Stefanski, now in custody, was arrested again on May 31, 2024, and those intervening weeks exposed to Gaudreault significant gaps in the victim support network.
"There was literally no help for me because I was a male," he said, explaining he wasn't able to move into a safe house with the children while his own home was too risky to live in. "These entities were all saying we'll take the kids, but you're on your own."
While in hiding, Gaudreault said he was told by the Ministry of Children and Family Development that he had to get guardianship over the kids or they would be taken away from him ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½” a sore spot for him given the circumstances he was under.
He said programs that support victims of crime can take weeks before they provide assistance.
"There's some huge gaps, and we're trying to figure out where all the gaps are," he said.
Stefanski has been in custody for over a year and trial dates still haven't been set. (A pre-trial conference took place in May, and it's possible trial dates will be set at a June 23 hearing). The laggard timelines in the justice system is another issue the foundation will look to address.
"It just seems like once it gets into the court system, it's just a big game," he said, referring to the many adjournments ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½” some of them for dubious reasons ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½”that have slowed down the Stefanski case.
"If this would have happened in the U.S., he would already be incarcerated," Gaudreault posited.
Gaudreault has spent a lot of time in the Vernon courthouse, attending every step of the Stefanski matter. He said he keeps seeing the same faces there every week, leading him to think their court hearings are also being adjourned.
"It's just a big waste."
Guadreault said the foundation will soon be set up to receive donations, and a website is also forthcoming.
The group will be looking to spread the word about the foundation with a float in the Lumby Days Parade on Saturday, June 14. Along with candy, they'll be handing out little bouquets of flowers with tags bearing the foundation's name.
