Young People Lead the Way Toward a Safer Future During National Youth Violence Prevention Week

Nearly one in five parents have heard their child express fear of a school shooting, according to results from a recent survey conducted by Sandy Hook Promise. But even though this anxiety is prevalent, it’s not stopping young people from taking collective action and making incredible efforts to improve school safety nationwide.

During National Youth Violence Prevention Week (April 28 to May 2), local businesses, organizations, and partners will join thousands of SAVE Promise Clubs (Students Against Violence Everywhere) in K-12 schools nationwide to empower youth and adults to prevent gun violence, create safer communities, change culture, and save lives.

SAVE Promise Clubs are the largest network of student-led anti-violence clubs in the US. Texas has nearly 8,000 students involved in 377 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state. There are more than 153,000 members in more than 5,000 SAVE Promise Clubs in schools nationwide.

Additionally, nine student leaders from various states serve on Sandy Hook Promise’s National Youth Advisory Board to guide the activities for SAVE Promise Clubs, provide feedback on programs, and uplift the youth voice on school safety and mental health.

National Youth Violence Prevention Week officially kicks off with the National SAVE Promise Club Youth Summit on Saturday, April 26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event will bring together more than 400 students, supporters, and advocates from across the country to educate and empower youth to look out for one another and prevent violence.

“By giving youth a voice in co-creating safer schools, we’re able to provide pathways for them to advance solutions to the many of the fears that have become so prevalent among children and teens today. One in four parents say their child has expressed concerns about their overall safety at school in the past year – even among children as young as five years old. That’s unacceptable. Every child deserves to feel safe at school. And that’s why we’re equipping youth with the skills necessary to prevent violence and create a better future for all,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

What Youth Are Saying

When asked why it’s important for young people to be actively involved in creating safer schools, Wendy, a 17-year-old Wendy from California and a National Teen Board member of Beyond Differences,  a Sandy Hook Promise initiative, said, “Young people have a direct perspective on the issues that impact their safety (i.e. school shootings, bullying, etc.). When young people are actively involved in creating safer schools, they feel empowered to take ownership of their safety, including working together with other youth to create a safer school environment. It’s also crucial to have Trusted Adults and other peers that students can create strong relationships with as a source of support through difficult times.”

“Youth will eventually become the adults that will lead the way on school safety and empower the new generation of youth voices. So, I think that it’s important that youth start now, so that when we are adults, we can continue this momentum,” said 15-year-old Evelyn from Wisconsin, a National Youth Advisory Board member.

Angelo, a 15-year-old National Youth Advisory Board member from Florida, added, “It is crucial for youth to be involved in creating safer schools because we are the future, and we need to shape it in the right way. Part of this is making sure people’s voices are heard and welcomed. When people are heard, they feel valued and feel like they belong. A positive school culture creates this sense of belonging, welcoming and safety. It can prevent violence.”

Take Action Today

Schools, communities, businesses, and organizations looking to take action can find activities and other helpful information by visiting SandyHookPromise.org/nyvpw. There you’ll find materials for youth, volunteers, and others who wish to support school safety and violence prevention nationwide.

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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.