In the wake of the recent tragedy at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, we're revisiting an episode that feels all too relevant. We know many of you are feeling helpless and angry. You're not alone.
This episode, originally released in April of 2023, is packed with actionable steps you can take to fight for safer schools and prevent future tragedies. We’ll guide you through effective advocacy, policy changes, and ways to support victims' families.
Let's turn our anger into action. Let's honor the victims by creating a safer future for our children, their teachers, and our communities.
Episode Takeaways
Discover practical steps to tackle school violence effectively.
Realize the significance of mental health support in educational environments.
Comprehend the implications of gun control policy changes on community safety.
Uncover the importance of participating in local elections for meaningful change.
Learn how to support victims and families affected by gun violence.
Bios
We’re passionate advocates for school safety. Our backgrounds in education and a deep understanding of the issues surrounding school violence demand that we dedicate time and efforts to help parents take practical action steps to promote safer environments for their children.
There's too much that will make you upset not to start taking action. —Caitlin
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Take Action for School Safety
Responding to a school shooting can feel overwhelming and leave many wondering what they can do to help. It's crucial to move beyond just sharing thoughts and prayers on social media and take concrete steps toward making a difference.
These steps can include
contacting local legislators,
supporting policies that promote school safety, and
educating yourself and loved ones about the issue.
These practical action steps can reduce future acts of violence in schools by forcing our representatives to push toward legislation aimed at making schools safer spaces.
We explore various approaches to taking initiative and emphasize the need for tangible actions in our communities. We offer advice on how to engage with local legislators by using resources like YouLobby.com and Everytown, which provide templates for contacting officials.
We explain the importance of making a phone call in addition to sending an email or letter, as the latter can often get lost in the shuffle.
We also want to remind you that voting in local elections is essential, as local government decisions have a direct impact on our communities.
Episode Summary
Contact local legislators about gun control and mental health resources in schools and communities.
Support victims and their families through financial donations or other means they request, such as fundraisers or GoFundMe pages.
Educate yourself on the issue of gun violence, its impact on different demographics, and the signs of potential gun violence.
Advocate for policy changes, such as registering to vote, supporting background checks on gun sales, and mandatory policies on safe gun storage.
Support extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to empower family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence and gun-related suicides.
Advocate for Alyssa's Law, which requires the installation of silent panic alarms in schools that are directly linked to law enforcement.
Supporting Organizations
You can also contribute to combatting school violence by supporting organizations actively working towards solutions. These organizations include Everytown, Protect Our Schools, Sandy Hook Promise, Make Our Schools Safe, and March for Our Lives. By donating time, resources, or funds to these groups, you can join the collective effort to make schools safer and unite in the mission to reduce school violence.
By coming together to support these valuable organizations, the community can amplify its impact and make strides toward creating safer schools for all.
With love,
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