Newsletter | September 20, 2004

OCTOBER 20, 2004: This year’s Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence

It is usually during this time of year* that I begin to hear from people around the country about their plans for this year’s observance.  It is always heartening to be in touch with so many people who put so much time and creative energy into helping young people stay safe. 

We believe, of course, that young people themselves have a critical role to play in keeping themselves safe, and part of what this youth anti-gun-violence campaign is about is honoring that role and empowering young people to make good decisions.  But we as adults can be valuable facilitators of the conversations that need to take place.

We have reached more than ten million young people with this program since it began in 1996, beginning literally millions of conversations about gun violence that probably would not have taken place otherwise. 

SOME SUGGESTIONS:

A network that many of you might not think to tap into is that of your US Attorney’s office.  Until I got to know some of the wonderful people in the US Attorney’s Office here in Minnesota, I always believed that these offices were dedicated solely to the prosecution of federal crimes.  In fact, they also dedicate time, resources, and staff to prevention efforts and you may find some helpful allies in your work with the Pledge if you contact the US Attorney’s office closest to you.

You will probably find staff there who are already familiar with the program.  The US Attorney’s offices in Minnesota and the Middle District of Florida have done a lot of outreach with their counterparts in past years, and this year, the US Attorney’s office in South Carolina sent a letter to every Project Safe Neighborhood coordinator in the country, making them aware of the Student Pledge and the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence.

Last year, the South Carolina US Attorney’s Office sent letters to each chief of police, sheriff, school resource officer and safe and drug-free schools coordinator in the state telling them about the Day of Concern and the Student Pledge.  They also asked the South Carolina Department of Education to distribute information about the program to all of the state’s schools, and the S.C. Department of Education pitched in to help get the word out.  This is a valuable network!

You will also find valuable allies and support from local counterparts within the wonderful networks whose national organizations have worked with us from the beginning:  Student Councils, the National PTA, the AFT, the NEA, the Council of Great City Schools, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and so on.  Faith communities, district superintendents, and local officials can often be enlisted to help.

Each year in Connecticut, the State Department of Education does a statewide mailing about the Student Pledge.  The state’s participation through the years has been outstanding.  Finding partners who have access to large populations is invaluable.

But some of the best things happen each year on a small scale as well.  The strength of this youth anti-gun-violence campaign is its grassroots nature.  Many remarkable observances have been spearheaded by one creative and concerned student or parent.  Sometimes the inspiration comes from the top down; other times it begins from the bottom up.

USEFUL NAMES AND ADDRESSES

If you want to order Pledge lapel buttons, you may get them from the following two sources:  For 200 or fewer buttons, you may contact Alex Garver, 2576 Burnt Leaf Lane, Decatur, GA 30033.  His phone number is (404) 633-5299.  For larger orders you may contact X-Press at art@x-presspromo.com. 

You may order t-shirts with the Pledge logo at a very reasonable price from Odditees, Inc.  Their email is oddities@bitstream.net.  Their phone number is (612) 781-0550.  Ask for Shannon.  The above places all have the Pledge logo on file.

PLEASE GIVE US FEEDBACK AND STAY IN TOUCH!

Your experience with this initiative can be helpful to others!  You have been creative through the years in finding networks to work with and in thinking of ways to build towards the Day of National Concern.  Please let us know about your own experiences with this program – whether in your own school, community, or state.  One of the primary functions of our office is to help disseminate “best practices.” 

And don’t forget to ask the schools you work with to report their tallies – through the website or by phone (507) 645-5378 or fax (507) 663-1207.

Please call if we can answer any questions or offer suggestions about people for you to work with in your own area.

May we all be successful in our efforts!

All the best,

Mary Lewis Grow

*I moved my office this summer and have had endless technical set-backs as I have gotten my phone and internet service up and running.  I wrote this letter in mid-August but have not been able to get my mail-merge program to work until now.  Sorry for the delay!