Each year since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012, the number of incidents of gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization on school grounds has grown. Our children deserve real action to stop the epidemic. And, we must empower our youth to be part of the solution.

Sandy Hook Promise offers "Say Something," a no-cost, easy-to-implement prevention program to teach students in schools and youth organizations how to identify the signs and signals of potential violence especially in social media and to tell a trusted adult so that intervention and help is given.

Say Something has already averted countless violent incidents across the country. By training our children with simple steps to look out for their peers and speak up, we can prevent violence before it happens. That's why it's so important for schools and youth organizations to join the Say Something Call-to-Action Week, March 2-6, 2020. Together, we can take this simple step to help bring the change we so badly need to curb violence. Learn more and register at: www.sandyhookpromise.org/saysomethingweek.

Gayle Oko

Connecticut Sandy Hook Promise leader ambassador

Mystic