Newtown, CT — Sandy Hook Promise, a leading national youth violence prevention organization, is proud to announce the winners of the first annual SAVE Promise Clubs Awards. These awards recognize the efforts of exceptional students to prevent violence and bullying in their schools.
The students found new and unique ways to engage their classmates – despite the challenges of the pandemic and social distancing – to build safe, connected, and inclusive communities in their schools and beyond. A high school in Pennsylvania got the whole community involved, including having local steelworkers put “Start With Hello” stickers on their helmets. Other high school students held virtual town halls and events to help their peers feel connected.
“Students in SAVE Promise Clubs are making a real difference in classrooms and schools across the nation every day,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “I’m extremely proud of these exceptional students who are creating safer and more inclusive environments in their schools and communities.”
To qualify for the awards, each SAVE Promise Club must demonstrate active student leadership and the planning and implementation of programmatic activities that engage the larger school community in Start with Hello and Say Something programs. Each winner receives a cash prize and recognition on Sandy Hook Promise’s website and social channels.
SAVE Promise Club students take ownership over events that empower, engage, encourage, and educate their peers and often the larger community about simple but effective violence and suicide prevention measures. These include learning the warning signs of someone in danger of harming themselves or others, and when to reach out to a Trusted Adult for help.
This year’s award categories include the Alex Orange Overall Club award, Social Media, Youth Empowerment, Engagement, and Education awards as well as recognition for clubs with outstanding community engagement, service projects, and advocacy efforts. SAVE Promise Clubs from the elementary to high school levels were invited to participate.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Through nonpartisan policy and partnerships, SHP advances gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education at the state and federal levels that protect all children from gun violence in their schools, homes, and communities. 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. Learn more at www.sandyhookpromise.org
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646-761-5579