A Statement From Our CEO on the Uvalde Shooting
May 26, 2022
We are deeply saddened and heavy-hearted over the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that took the lives of 21 children and educators, impacting countless families in the local community and all across the country.
Our thoughts go out to the family members who have lost loved ones to this senseless and preventable tragedy just two days before their summer break. And to all parents who are hugging their children extra tight since this event, our thoughts are with you too.
More than 300,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since the Columbine shooting in 1999.
When you look at the data, it’s true that school shootings are rare compared to other forms of gun violence, but even one instance of this kind of violence is one instance too many. The impact that a school shooting has on a community — both the community closest to the incident, and the grief felt nationwide — is crippling and difficult to navigate.
Mass shootings are a heavy issue to deal with — for kids and for those of us who are responsible for taking care of a child.
We’ve created a guide for parents and caregivers in response to the horrific events at Robb Elementary and any tragedy that might follow. Our Guide on Talking to Kids & Teens about School Shootings gives parents the tools and language to help their families navigate the aftermath of these violent events.
Maro Parents joins the chorus of voices calling on lawmakers to fund resources towards children’s mental health which was declared a national emergency by our nation’s leading pediatric experts. Schools are also in short supply of school counselors and school psychologists who are often the only mental health resource for children.
These mass violence events are taking a toll on our collective psyche and we cannot raise the next generation in a country that accepts this as a way of life. It will take all of us to act together to bring about the necessary changes that will lead to a healthier and safer society for all.
