Karly Steinwehr (second from left) organized Korbin’s Krew with her friends (left to right) Tara Steffens, Karly, Jamie Adrian and Amy Cookman.
In Hankinson, N.D., a close-knit agricultural community, one group of people who are making a difference is Korbin’s Krew.
This group strives to be a voice for Korbin Steinwehr, who took his life in September 2021. His sister, Karly Steinwehr, organized the group within days of his passing with help from her friends Tara Steffens, Jaime Adrian and Amy Cookman. Together, they walked their first suicide awareness walk in Wahpenton, N.D.
Korbin Steinwehr
“My goal is to be the voice for my brother and to ask for help when someone is struggling mentally,” said Steinwehr. “There are thousands of people who will help. You just need the courage to ask for it, which [Korbin] wasn’t able to do.”
Korbin Steinwehr
Korbin is the son of Kurt and Mazy Steinwehr. “He’s the brother that came along more than 17 years after I did and became the person we all needed in our lives,” Karly Steinwehr said. “He completed our family in so many ways. My parents called him “the caboose,” which was fitting because my dad worked on the railroad.”
Korbin was the one to make everyone laugh and help someone understand the situation to take control of it. He was also the one to step up and help, even when he was not asked to. Korbin was a senior airman for the United States Air Force.
Korbin Steinwehr’s family includes his brother, Eric Steinwehr, nieces Mya Steinwehr and Jada Steinwehr, and sister, Karly Steinwehr.
Korbin’s Krew has done many things to bring awareness to suicide prevention, including seven Out of the Darkness Walks that took place in three different communities and meals to help raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The group is also currently working on creating a nonprofit.
A group of people who participated in one of the Out of the Darkness Walks.
“You matter and you are enough,” Karly Steinwehr said. “Tomorrow needs you, so dial 988 if you need help. I’d much rather hear about your struggles than hear you lost your battle.”
