Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise is a non-profit organization founded by Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden, parents of two children who were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The organization aims to prevent gun violence and promote school safety through public health approaches, with support from Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and other prominent figures like Michael Bloomberg and his organization Everytown for Gun Safety. Since its inception, Sandy Hook Promise has worked closely with organizations like the National Rifle Association's opposition, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The organization has also received endorsements from notable individuals such as Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly, who are also advocates for gun control through their organization Americans for Responsible Solutions.

● History

The history of Sandy Hook Promise began in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which occurred on December 14, 2012, and resulted in the deaths of 20 children and 6 adults, including the shooter's mother, Nancy Lanza. In response to the tragedy, Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden joined forces with other parents and community members to create an organization that would work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future. The organization was initially called Sandy Hook Promise Foundation and was later renamed to its current name. Sandy Hook Promise has since become a leading voice in the gun violence prevention movement, working closely with organizations like the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence. The organization has also partnered with Law Enforcement Action Partnership and received support from National Association of School Psychologists and American Psychological Association.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of Sandy Hook Promise is to create a culture of engaged youth and adults who take actions to prevent gun violence before it occurs, with a focus on school safety and mental health. The organization's objectives include educating children and adults on the warning signs of gun violence, promoting evidence-based programs and policies to prevent gun violence, and supporting gun control legislation, such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. Sandy Hook Promise also works to promote background checks for gun purchases, like those required by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and to support red flag laws, which allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. The organization has received support from National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers in its efforts to improve school safety.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

Sandy Hook Promise offers several programs and initiatives to achieve its mission and objectives, including the Say Something program, which teaches students how to recognize and report warning signs of gun violence, and the Start With Hello program, which aims to prevent social isolation and promote inclusivity in schools. The organization also offers the Safety Assessment and Intervention program, which provides training and resources for schools and communities to identify and intervene with individuals who may be at risk of committing gun violence. Additionally, Sandy Hook Promise has partnered with organizations like National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America to provide resources and support for mental health initiatives. The organization has also worked with National Association of School Resource Officers and International Association of Chiefs of Police to promote school safety and provide training for law enforcement officials.

● Impact_and_Evaluation

The impact of Sandy Hook Promise has been significant, with the organization reaching millions of students and adults through its programs and initiatives. The organization's Say Something program has been implemented in over 10,000 schools across the United States, and has been credited with preventing numerous instances of gun violence. Sandy Hook Promise has also played a key role in advocating for gun control legislation, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by Joe Biden in 2022. The organization has received recognition and awards from organizations like National Association of Social Workers and American Public Health Association for its efforts to prevent gun violence. Sandy Hook Promise has also partnered with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health to conduct research and evaluation on the effectiveness of its programs.

● Controversies_and_Criticisms

Despite its successes, Sandy Hook Promise has faced controversies and criticisms, particularly from gun rights organizations like the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. Some critics have argued that the organization's focus on gun control is misguided and that its programs and initiatives are ineffective in preventing gun violence. Others have criticized the organization for its partnerships with gun control organizations and its support for red flag laws, which some argue infringe upon Second Amendment rights. Sandy Hook Promise has also faced criticism from some gun violence prevention organizations, which argue that the organization's approach is too focused on mental health and not enough on gun control. The organization has responded to these criticisms by emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to preventing gun violence, which includes both gun control and mental health initiatives.

● Organizational_Leadership

The organizational leadership of Sandy Hook Promise includes Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden, who serve as co-founders and managing directors. The organization's board of directors includes notable individuals such as Arielle Schwartz, Jeremy Richman, and Bill Sherlach, who are all parents of children who were killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Sandy Hook Promise has also received support from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, who have performed at benefit concerts for the organization. The organization's leadership team includes experts in the fields of public health, education, and gun violence prevention, including Dr. Mark Rosenberg and Dr. Daniel Webster. The organization has also partnered with Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University to conduct research and provide training on gun violence prevention. Category:Gun violence prevention organizations