Healing a community
Since the two years following the Parkland shooting, the Parkland community; residents, students, parents and professionals have worked tirelessly to turn the tragedy into positive change and meaningful action. Some took the lead in community healing, while others advocate for a change in gun laws. Some have brought the community together in loving, non-judgmental settings. Many worked to heal and move on from that traumatic event by making funding available for mental health.Creating Change
In their journey, young Parkland survivors ventured out of their comfort zone and traveled the country teaming with other youth from all walks of life to make change. They have emerged as the driving force in calling for stricter gun laws in the U.S. through a series of marches, school walkouts and voter registration drives. Parents of the victims and in the community are leading changes to law, such as Alyssa’s Law, which was first passed in New Jersey and working towards a national level.Life Saving Training
The frequency of school lock-down drills has risen, and the need to provide staff training has become even more clear. Guardian Defense Co-Founder and Vice President, Taylor Smith reflects on that time, being the incident occurred just 15 miles from the Guardian Defense office.“The phone, emails and online inquires did not stop coming into our office. School administration and parents alike were in a panic,” states Taylor.Parents demanded their children’s school share how they were prepared for active shooter incidents.
“We found that schools and parents were open to anything: training, armed guards, metal detectors, clear backpacks, bulletproof backpack inserts. Suddenly, money was no object and there was a lot of hasty decisions made because the emotions were so high.”After the Parkland tragedy, Guardian Defense saw a sharp increase in schools seeking training, and refreshers for current schools worked with in the past.
Taylor notes, “Training is certainly something that teachers seek, and unfortunately, it takes a scare or an actual incident for administration to recognize this is a true need. I have noticed the parents that have the strongest voice. If they want something done at their school, they make it happen. This certainly played a role in the schools that we worked with in 2018. It was a tough year to work with schools. Living so close to the incident, everyone had a tie to Parkland. Our team of instructors embody a great deal of empathy and it was truly evident that year working with so many hurt hearts. For all the hugs they gave and tears wiped with tissues, they also armed them with tools to protect their students, leading to each day ending with empowerment, healing and confidence.”
Reflect and Remember: How to Get Involved in the Healing!
This February, Guardian Defense celebrates the lives of the 17 angels gained through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Shooting. We remember the wounded and all the survivors who experienced the trauma on that unforgettable day. We dedicate the whole month to their legacy, their family and friends who miss them terribly, and the community who keeps on pushing for their memories to live on. There are many great organizations that have dedicated countless hours to school safety as a result of this incident. Please consider donating time, efforts or money to further advance their cause.
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