Newtown, CT — Today, former Mayor of Philadelphia Michael Nutter began his tenure on the board of directors for Sandy Hook Promise, one of the nation’s leading gun violence prevention organizations.
Mayor Nutter managed Philadelphia through the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, earning the city an “A” credit rating by the three major credit rating agencies for the first time since the 1970s. In affiliation with the National League of Cities, Mayor Nutter co-launched Cities United, an initiative aimed at creating partnerships between cities, non-profits, and other stakeholders to combat violence and crime among African-American men and boys. He has also served on President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” Advisory Council and the Homeland Security Advisory Council, as well as the Board of Directors for the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Council on Criminal Justice, among many other affiliations and advisory roles.
“I am honored, excited, and humbled to become a member of the Board of Sandy Hook Promise. This is an incredible organization that is managed and run by truly dedicated and committed parents and leaders,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “There is no more important issue in America than the safety of our most precious and vulnerable citizens – our children and young people. I treasure the opportunity to serve Sandy Hook Promise.”
“Michael Nutter’s vast experience and expertise will be crucial in expanding the reach and impact of our Know the Signs programs in communities nationwide,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “His proven ability to work with all sides of the political spectrum in local, state, and federal government to bring about positive change is a huge asset to our work. We are grateful to have his support and guidance.”
To date, more than 7.5 million people nationwide have been trained in Sandy Hook Promise’s proven Know the Signs programs that focus on prevention to help end the epidemic of gun violence by training youth and adults how to identify at-risk behavior and intervene to get help before a tragedy can occur. Through these no-cost programs, Sandy Hook Promise has averted multiple school shooting plots, teen suicides, and countless other acts of violence.
Through its 501c4 Action Fund, Sandy Hook Promise has been a leader in the call for Congressional action on background checks and bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation since its founding and has helped pass over a dozen bipartisan laws at the state level to strengthen background checks and create Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Sandy Hook Promise also introduced and helped pass the bipartisan STOP School Violence Act of 2018 (H.R. 4909/S. 2495) that provides federal funding to train millions of students and adults to “Know the Signs” of gun violence and how to act to prevent it.
About Sandy Hook Promise:
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. 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. SHP’s mission is to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization BEFORE they can happen by creating a culture of engaged youth and adults committed to identifying, intervening, and getting help for individuals who might be at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the “human side” of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. Make the Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.