As Sandy Hook Promise continues to work with both sides of the aisle on gun violence prevention, we know how deeply meaningful it is to hear all voices on why gun violence prevention work continues to matter to each of us. Now more than ever.
It’s our collective voices, our emotional connections and value for safety and community, that drives us to work together toward a more empathetic and compassionate world.
Whether you’re a gun violence survivor, a parent, a teacher, a youth activist, a legislator, a gun owner who supports commonsense gun laws, or a concerned citizen who is ready to speak up—it’s time to lean in and get loud.
How will you make your voice heard?
The Youth Voice Helps Us Dig in for Inspiration
We know how empowered we feel to act when we hear stories of experience and action in the mobilization to prevent gun violence. We are particularly moved by the courageous young voices that share their stories of survival and the advocacy by our youth voices.
“I view things differently now…I never get to rest like I used to, constantly thinking, making sure I hear everything. A lot of people seemed to forget that I’m still dealing with stuff, even though I was healed from my wounds. It wasn’t true. I was always scared of people walking in the hallways, I couldn’t pay attention in class, the loss of my friend. I think it’s sad we have this fear now, that we have to watch our backs, and make sure that nothing like this happens to us.”
Chase Yarbrough, a gun violence survivor (Santa Fe, Texas 2018). Chase was shot six times, and a bullet remains in his heart.
“In our school, a year doesn’t go by without a student dying by suicide. I am concerned that youth suicide has become so common that my school community and our nation is stuck in a pattern of mourning and accepting these deaths as something that is normal, instead of seeing them as preventable.”
High school student Arriana, a National Youth Advisory Board member and SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Club member, stood before Congress in 2020 and shared her testimony to help pass the bipartisan STANDUP (Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention) Act.
Let Your Own Voice Be Heard
Want to share your story?
We have an easy-to-fill-out online form that just takes a couple of minutes to complete. Get your story started!
If you’re more comfortable submitting your concerns in writing, feel free to email our Communications Director, Aimee Thunberg at [email protected] to share your story.
Disclaimer – By submitting this content I give permission to Sandy Hook Promise (“SHP”), its officers, directors, employees and agents and anyone else designated by SHP to use this information including photos, videos and written information I’ve submitted to promote the mission of SHP. By submitting the material I release SHP, its agents, officers, directors, employees and assigns from and against any and all demands, liabilities, claims, costs and expenses which I have or may have arisen in connection with the use of my image, voice, likeness and/or name, including but not limited to claims for invasion of privacy, defamation, or any other cause of action.
