Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: 6 Practical Ways to Advocate for School Safety
- Caitlin Kindred
- Sep 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Warning: This content discusses school violence, a sensitive topic that may be triggering for some.
In the wake of recent tragedies at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis and Evergreen High School in Colorado, we're bringing back an episode that feels heartbreakingly relevant.
If you're feeling helpless and angry right now, you're not alone. But here's what I know about the women who listen to this show—you don't stay helpless for long.
This episode and post walk you through concrete steps you can take to advocate for safer schools. We're including effective advocacy strategies, policy changes that actually work, and meaningful ways to support affected families.
Your anger matters. Your voice matters. And there are real things you can do with both.
Let's turn that fury into action and honor these victims by fighting for the safer schools our children deserve.
Episode Takeaways
Practical steps to tackle school violence in your community
Why mental health support in schools matters—and how to advocate for it
How gun control policy changes impact community safety
The power of local elections and why your vote matters for school safety
Concrete ways to support victims and families affected by gun violence
Bios
We're passionate advocates for school safety with backgrounds in education and a deep understanding of the issues surrounding school violence. We believe parents deserve practical action steps to create safer environments for their children.
Listen Here
Take Action for School Safety
When another school shooting hits the news, that familiar feeling of helpless rage kicks in. You want to do something—anything—but scrolling through thoughts and prayers posts isn't cutting it anymore.
Here's the truth: There are concrete actions you can take that actually make a difference. Real steps that push us beyond the cycle of outrage and inaction.
Contact Your Representatives (And Make It Count)
Start with your local legislators—they're more accessible than you think and often more responsive to constituent pressure. Here's how to make your voice heard:
Use the right tools: Resources like YouLobby.com and Everytown provide templates for contacting officials, but don't just copy and paste. Personalize your message with your story as a parent or community member.
Pick up the phone: Yes, calling feels awkward, but phone calls carry more weight than emails that get buried in inboxes. A 30-second call saying "I'm a constituent and I want you to support [specific policy]" is more powerful than you think.
Be specific: Don't just ask for "better school safety." Reference specific legislation, funding proposals, or policy changes you want them to support.
Caitlin feels strongly about:
Supporting extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to empower family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence and gun-related suicides.
Alyssa's Law, which requires the installation of silent panic alarms in schools that are directly linked to law enforcement.
Vote Like Schools Depend On It (Because They Do)
Local elections matter more for school safety than national ones. School board members, county commissioners, and state legislators make decisions that directly impact your child's school.
These elections often come down to a few hundred votes—yours actually counts.
Research candidates' positions on school safety, mental health funding, and violence prevention before you head to the polls.
Support Organizations That Do the Work
If advocacy isn't your thing, put your money where your values are. These organizations are actively working on solutions:
Everytown - Gun violence prevention and policy advocacy
Sandy Hook Promise - Violence prevention programs in schools
Protect Our Schools - Comprehensive school safety initiatives
Make Our Schools Safe - Policy reform and community organizing
March for Our Lives - Youth-led movement for gun violence prevention
Whether you donate money, volunteer time, or just amplify their work on social media, you're joining a collective effort that extends far beyond your individual action.
The goal isn't to do everything—it's to do something. Pick one action that feels manageable and start there.
Our kids deserve more than our anger; they deserve our action.
With love,
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