Public Statement in Response to Recent Gun Violence

Gun violence must end. Our community is grieving yet another loss of young lives. Though this is not the first time, it never hurts less. Parents, classmates, friends, family, teachers, mentors… we collectively mourn each of these lives cut too short.

On Friday, January 30, two teenage students at Rainier Beach High School were fatally shot at a bus stop. While all losses are difficult, this hits our team especially hard. Our team members have supported these young people and their families through CHOOSE 180 programs. Our hearts go out to those close to them.

We need more resources, more support, more mentorship for young people. We need more support for community-based organizations that can reach young people before dangerous situations instead of waiting to respond after. We need prevention, credible messengers, and opportunities instead of pushout and punishment. We need to advocate to change laws to better protect young people. We need to hold our public officials, school administrations, fellow community members, and ourselves accountable. 

There are several organizations in addition to CHOOSE 180 working for our young people. If you or someone you know could benefit from these programs, or if you’d like to support this critical work, check out a few of these organizations.

• Community Passageways

• Mockingbird Society

• Creative Justice

• Collective Justice

• El Centro de la Raza

• Para Los Ninos

• Latino Civic Alliance

• Alimentando al Pueblo

• Neighborhood House

• Young Women Empowered

• Pro Se Potential

• Team Child

• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
  

Mental health resources:

For mental health resources to support with grief, check out our blog with a list of therapy networks and resources especially geared towards the BIPOC and Queer community.

Wondering how to help?

• Vote and advocate for gun violence prevention programs, community-based alternatives to incarceration, stronger mental health and support services

• Join a coalition or group to advocate with others already doing the work (examples: Moms Demand Action, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Southeast Seattle Education Coalition)

• Support community-based organizations doing the work to support young people and make communities safer

Let’s all come together to keep our young people safe.