Tempe participates in program supporting school safety

By Caroline Yu
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

Tempe’s CARE 7 youth specialists provide support at Tempe high and middle schools to create a school culture that takes actions to prevent violence, specifically gun violence, through the Sandy Hook Promise’s program.

Tempe City Council is voting on adopting a resolution that would formally recognize the city’s participation in the Sandy Hook Promise program at its Jan. 9 regular meeting. Council meets at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Tempe City Hall.

Community health and human services administration manager Rachael Brickner wrote in a city staff report that Sandy Hook Promise is the nonprofit founded by the family members of those killed in the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“To honor all victims, Sandy Hook Promise has developed a program accessible to all schools that empowers youth to ‘know the signs’ and come together to create a school culture that takes meaningful actions to prevent violence, specifically gun violence,” Brickner stated.

Arizona has recorded over 89,000 students and adults engaged at 218 schools in Know the Signs programs and 1,794 students involved in 35 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state, according to the Sandy Hook Promise website.

Brickner continued that these clubs are safe spaces where young people can contribute to increasing school safety and preventing different forms of violence in schools and in the community.

Students in Sandy Hook Promise Clubs discuss topics like bullying, social isolation, depression, and mental health, and they also complete monthly activities and messaging that help to build connections.

Brickner explained that these activities include things like encouraging students to reach out and help, empathize and include, and to empower upstanders to promote a positive school culture and prevent violence.

Tempe Care 7, which provides social and emotional support, crisis intervention and resource connection services, has youth specialists at school sites in the Tempe Union High School and Tempe Elementary School districts who facilitate Sandy Hook Promise programming.

The city’s website stated that there is a youth specialist at each of the six Tempe Union schools and several of the Tempe Elementary schools.

“Within Tempe schools, CARE 7 Youth Specialists deliver Sandy Hook Promise programming in various settings during advisory periods, lunch breaks and in after-school clubs,” Brickner stated.

Youth specialists also identify struggling students as part of their work, offering participation in programs to gain social interaction.

Prevention programming like Sandy Hook Promise’s school programs have been recognized nationally for their importance, as schools and communities continue to face threats and other acts of violence, according to Brickner.

She said that the city and the school districts involved understand that their partnership is necessary to prevent tragedies from occurring and to provide immediate access to services that could assist.

“Prevention and intervention efforts are not only helping people, but also making a significant impact on the community, demonstrating an innovative way of working together that is truly making a difference,” Brickner stated.

Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org. 

Caroline Yu
Reporter | Tempe

cyu@iniusa.org

Meet Caroline
Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.  

Community:  She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events. 

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French. 

Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years. 

Hobbies: Hiking, painting and crocheting.