By Mary Welander
State Rep., D-114
Mary Welander
December 14 marked 10 years since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. For myself, and I think many others, that day marks a “before” and an “after” point in our lives. At the time, we lived the next town over and my oldest was in kindergarten. There was so much disinformation that morning, including that other shooters were heading to our school campus. I have never felt more afraid and helpless, or more relieved to hug my child when he got home.
Shortly after Sandy Hook Promise was formed, I made the pledge to become a Promise Leader.
Over time I was honored to become the first SHP ambassador for Connecticut, testifying for Congress at the first school safety listening session, and successfully fighting for funding of our violence prevention programs and advocating for the expansion of nationwide emergency risk prevention orders, or “red flag” laws.
Despite the broad scope of the organization, SHP works to meet people where they are by providing many ways to make their communities safer. Becoming a Promise Leader is simply that: making the promise that you will take steps to reduce gun violence. My first action was learning to be comfortable asking about the presence and storage of firearms before playdates, and offering that information about our firearms. Actions may be big or small, but they all count.
One of my favorite programs is “Start with Hello.” Intended for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, this is about creating stronger, safer communities. By recognizing the strengths in our differences and giving kids the language and the tools to reach out to others and identify unsafe situations, they can break down barriers of isolation, create more inclusive and healthier environments and ultimately prevent community violence.
Like any parent, I want to protect my kids, and sometimes the simplest way is to make sure they and those around them do not feel alone. In this modern world it is too easy to “other” those different than us, and so many feel isolated in their thoughts and experiences, despite being “connected” to others almost constantly. When presenting the Start with Hello programs I always started by asking everyone, kids and adults, if they ever had bad days. Inevitably, everyone’s hands would be raised – illustrating one simple way we are all more alike than unalike.
Creating even a small connection can make it easier to say something in difficult moments, becoming an upstander instead of a bystander.
You can learn more about this amazing organization and its programs at sandyhookpromise.org.
Sandy Hook Promise is asking that people “honor with action and never forget.” I know our community has so much heart; I hope that you join me in showing care for others and honor those we’ve lost by taking action. We can be upstanders when faced with unsafe or “othering” behavior, we can lead with kindness and compassion, we can ensure that our firearms are responsibly stored, and we can remember their names and honor their lives.