The Uvalde Foundation for Kids has activated its national community crisis response following the deadly shooting at a homecoming gathering in Vienna early Sunday morning.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, announced Sunday that it is providing 24-hour crisis counseling and community support to those affected by the shooting.
The foundation is also preparing to send a team of counselors to the Vienna area this week to provide in-person assistance to victims, families, witnesses, young people, first responders and others impacted by the violence.
According to information from authorities cited by local media, two men, ages 20 and 23, were killed and as many as 35 people were injured during the shooting. Approximately 25 people were transported to area hospitals.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.
The foundation has also established an Emergency Victim Support Fund intended to provide direct assistance to verified victims and affected families as emergency needs are identified.
Support from the foundation may include crisis counseling, trauma-informed counseling, grief and bereavement support, youth and family assistance, victim advocacy, connections to additional resources and emergency financial assistance for verified needs.
The foundation is also making its crisis counseling services available to law enforcement officers and other first responders involved in the response.
“First responders are dealing with this too,” said Daniel Chapin, founder and president of the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. “Our counselors are available to them as well.”
Chapin said the organization does not want those affected by the shooting to feel as though they have to navigate the aftermath alone.
“We cannot undo what happened in Vienna,” Chapin said. “What we can do is show up. We can listen. We can help. We can give someone a safe place to talk about what they have experienced, help a family with an immediate need, and remain there after the cameras leave.”
The foundation’s Vienna response comes as it continues crisis-response efforts following other shootings across the country.
The organization activated emergency support last week following the Sept. 27 shooting at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon, Georgia, where teenagers were wounded during an 18th birthday celebration.
The foundation has also continued its response to the July 26 shooting in Seattle that killed three people and injured four others, including a young child.
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids was founded following the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The organization focuses on youth advocacy, violence prevention, crisis response and emergency assistance.
24-hour crisis support
Anyone affected by the Vienna shooting who needs immediate support can contact the foundation’s 24-hour crisis line at 254-499-8027.
The foundation said counselors are expected to deploy to the Vienna area this week.
Emergency victim fund
The organization has also established an Emergency Victim Support Fund specifically for victims and families affected by the Vienna shooting.
Donations will be used to support the foundation’s emergency response and provide assistance to verified victims and affected families.
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