Sandy Hook Promise

"Nothing has changed since Sandy Hook." We’ve heard it many times, but that's simply not true. Several families united to launch Sandy Hook Promise the month after the tragic school shooting. Since then, we have successfully written and driven the passage of 3 federal laws under 3 administrations. And our SAVE Promise Clubs are now the largest student-led anti-violence organization in America. Read on for more life-saving changes and join us to continue making progress by texting PROMISE to 79775. #HonorWithAction #NeverForget #ProtectOurKids #EndGunViolence #SandyHookPromise

It’s an honor to be partnering with Dr. Evisha Ford and her team at the iCan Dream Center NFP to help all students feel and be safe. Amazing people doing transformative work. 💜 Sandy Hook Promise #gunviolencepreventionmonth

This past school year, Dr. Evisha Ford and I have been working on a partnership with Sandy Hook Promise poised to align our belonging work at the iCan Dream Center NFP to the life-saving, affirming work occurring at SHP. Tonight, our partnership was announced at the Sandy Hook Promise Champions Gala in Washington D.C. Evisha and I are so proud of the amazing work iCan Dream’s high school program and our entire school culture does around belonging, and in turn, reducing harm in America. Personally, I am incredibly humbled by tonight. Nicole Hockley & Mark Barden have spent the past 11 years making a harrowing difference in America’s schools and communities by educating youth and adults about the causes of gun violence and what schools can do to prevent the next school shooting. I personally remember December 14, 2012 like it was yesterday. My sweet and innocent son was just around the same age as the first graders murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary. I rememebr wondering how those parents would ever survive in the wake of their unfathomable and cruel loss. And yet, not only did Nicole and Mark survive, but their leadership over Sandy Hook Promise has already stopped at least 16 planned school shootings, and more than 600 youth suicides. I found myself in awe of Nicole and Mark all night tonight. I studied their faces, searching for something that would even 12 years later make any sense at all to me here in 2024. Sure, it is more than evident that Nicole and Mark are special, set far apart. And though Mark’s guitar stylings with Bootsy Collins were amazing, and Nicole’s grace was fully evident this beautifully executed night of bipartisan celebration to end gun violence, I am quite certain these two co-CEOs and founders will always move through the world with an emotional limp. There is and always will be an empty seat at the kitchen table that can and will never be replaced. And still, the sea change Nicole and Mark have created—together, and with their teams, has saved all these lives in direct response to having lost their precious, beautiful, innocent babies. And that to me feels like something harrowing and larger than anything the human mind and heart can conceive. I am so very proud of this work, honored to be leading it alongside Dr Ford, and our high school chairperson and lead teacher, Matthew Adkins, and as a mom and a common sense gun violence prevention advocate and an educator, I am truly grateful to Sandy Hook Promise for your dedication to protecting children, teachers, and communities from gun violence and suicide. We dedicate our partnership to Dylan and Daniel, their sweet angel classmates—and all 26 lives lost that horrific day in December, 2012. Thank you, Crystal E. Brown-Garrant for championing this extremely important partnership, thank you to Nicole Hockley for announcing it this evening, and thank you to everyone tonight who made a huge difference.

Every year, Sandy Hook Promise holds their Promise Champions Reception Gala to recognize individuals working to prevent gun violence across the country. The gala helps fund violence prevention programs in schools and youth organizations. We’re so honored to be partnered with such an outstanding organization and are grateful every day for their tireless commitment to bettering our communities and preventing gun violence. Our team was so happy to attend yesterday's gala! Thank you to the Sandy Hook Promise team for your steadfast belief in the power of communities to bring change.

#TBT to #NationalGunViolenceAwarenessDay in 2020. No community is immune to the public health epidemic of gun violence. That’s why in June we honor Gun Violence Awareness Month and June 7th as #WearOrangeDay. Why will you #WearOrange tomorrow? #SandyHookPromise #EndGunViolence #ProtectOurKids

LGBTQ+ students experience bullying at over twice the rate of their peers. We need to take action and raise awareness to tackle issues like social isolation, bullying, and the rising number of mental health crises affecting today's teenagers. Discover more facts and statistics on the impact of violence on LGBTQ+ individuals: https://lnkd.in/e_SBU5F4 #PrideMonth #EndGunViolence #SandyHookPromise #ProtectOurKids #LGBTQ+

The #WearOrange campaign and #NationalGunViolenceAwarenessDay were inspired by Chicago teens who refused to be silent in the face of gun violence. Learn more about National Gun Violence Awareness Month and join us in taking action by using our toolkit: https://lnkd.in/eRWjK7Ta #GunViolenceAwareness #EndGunViolence #SandyHookPromise

#DYK Guns that are not properly stored contribute to school shootings, suicides, and family member deaths, including infants and toddlers? On National SAFE Day, let's promote the importance of secure firearm storage. To prevent children and other prohibited persons from accessing firearms, all guns should be: Securely encased: Store firearms in a locked case, container, safe, lock box, or other secure storage areas that can only be unlocked with a key, combination, biometric reader, or similar means. Avoid using vehicle trunks, glove boxes, or other car storage areas. Disabled or rendered inoperable: Store firearms unloaded and separate from ammunition or use a device or lock to prevent operation without deactivating it first. This can include gun locks or biometric safety features. Hidden from unauthorized access: The firearm's location should be known only to those legally allowed to operate it. #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth #SecureStorage #ProtectOurKids #EndGunViolence #SandyHookPromise #NationalSafeDay

Our mental health journey starts with a single moment. Take it! NAMI's 2024 campaign is here to empower you with resources. Let's prioritize mental well-being together. Learn more at nami.org/mham #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth

💔 Tragedy struck again this weekend with a shooting at an annual street party in Akron, OH, leaving one person dead and 24 injured. Gun violence also shook communities in Pittsburgh, PA, and Louisville, KY leaving families grieving and lives forever changed. “No one should have to be fearful of gun violence when going about their lives – from enjoying casual gatherings to celebrating special occasions together. We all must play our part in saving lives and advocating for a safer future free from gun violence, whether it’s learning the warning signs of violence or demanding elected officials take action to enact legislation that makes prevention a priority.” Ohio urgently needs critical gun safety laws, including enhanced background checks and secure storage measures. We call on elected officials to prioritize these lifesaving policies. Learn more and about how you can help: https://lnkd.in/egXmDwua #SandyHookPromise #EndGunViolence #SHPAction #ProtectOurKids