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School & Community Crisis Response

NATIONAL SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE

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Immediate Support. Critical-Incident Resources. A Path Forward.

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The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is a national youth advocacy and violence-prevention nonprofit founded in the aftermath of the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

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The Foundation helps young people, families, schools, and communities affected by gun violence, traumatic loss, bullying, and other crises. Its work includes emergency assistance, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)-focused support and coordination, violence prevention, recovery resources, and memorial initiatives.

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When tragedy strikes, families and communities need more than words. They need practical information, help identifying available resources, and support navigating what comes next.

 

The Foundation reviews requests individually and determines what assistance or coordination may be possible based on the situation, available personnel, partnerships, and funding.

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Recognize. Intervene. Prevent.

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Crisis Response & CISM Resources

For information about critical-incident support, school or community crisis response, referrals, and recovery resources, contact the Foundation.

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Emergency Financial Assistance

Learn about the National Emergency Relief & Victim Assistance Fund and how to request assistance.

School, Family & Recovery Resources

 

Find guidance on returning to school after a shooting, violence prevention, bullying prevention, and recovery after traumatic events.

 

Contact the Foundation

 

When contacting the Foundation, describe the incident or community involved, the assistance being requested, and the best way to reach you. Avoid sending unnecessary sensitive personal information.

 

Contacting the Foundation does not guarantee financial assistance, a particular service, or an on-site response. If someone is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical assistance, call 911.

 

Community Crisis Response

The Foundation’s Community Crisis Response work focuses on identifying needs and helping affected families and communities connect with practical assistance and recovery resources.

 

Depending on the circumstances and available resources, response efforts may include:

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  • Reaching out to affected families and community representatives.

  • Helping families identify available assistance and verified fundraising or donation options.

  • Sharing crisis-recovery information with families, schools, and community leaders.

  • Referring people to qualified counselors, mental-health professionals, and other appropriate service providers.

  • Coordinating with local organizations and community partners when appropriate.

  • Reviewing requests for emergency assistance through the Foundation’s established process.

  • Supporting appropriate memorial initiatives in collaboration with families and communities.

  • Identifying critical-incident support needs and resources for students, educators, witnesses, families, and other affected community members.

 

The goal is to help people navigate the immediate aftermath of a crisis and identify appropriate next steps for recovery.

 

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) & Crisis Support

CISM is an important focus of the Foundation’s crisis-response work.

 

Following a school shooting, community violence, traumatic loss, or another critical incident, the Foundation helps identify support needs and connect affected families, schools, and communities with appropriate resources.

 

Depending on the circumstances, this work may include sharing recovery information, helping people locate qualified providers, coordinating with appropriate community partners, and helping schools and community leaders identify possible next steps.

 

The Foundation’s CISM-focused work may include:

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  • Helping affected people identify appropriate support and recovery resources.

  • Providing information about stress responses and recovery after trauma.

  • Referring individuals to qualified mental-health professionals and other appropriate services.

  • Supporting coordination among families, schools, community organizations, and service providers.

  • Helping school and community leaders identify additional support needs after a traumatic event.

 

The Foundation’s role may involve support coordination and resource navigation. Formal CISM interventions are considered only when appropriately qualified personnel and suitable arrangements are available.

 

A request does not guarantee a formal intervention, clinical treatment, or on-site deployment.

 

CISM-related support does not replace emergency medical care, individualized mental-health treatment, or other professional services.

 

The type of assistance available depends on the circumstances, staffing, provider availability, coordination needs, and resources.

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To discuss critical-incident support, call or text (254) 499-8027 or email youthpeacejusticefoundation@gmail.com.

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National Emergency Relief & Victim Assistance Fund

 

The Foundation’s National Emergency Relief & Victim Assistance Fund is intended to help eligible young victims of gun violence and their families access practical assistance following a qualifying crisis.

 

One unique aspect of the emergency funding, is that funds are separate from foundation restricted/unrestricted accounting and are not effected by foundation budgets. They are independent funds provided by foundation beneficiaries.

 

Each request is reviewed individually. The Foundation considers the circumstances, eligibility, available documentation, available funding, and appropriate method of assistance.

 

Approved requests are processed according to the fund’s published terms and applicable payment arrangements. Approval and funding are not guaranteed. Processing and delivery times may vary according to the payment method and provider.

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Families may also be directed to verified fundraising efforts or direct donation options when appropriate.

 

Learn more about the fund:
https://www.theuvaldefoundation.com/projects-8

 

School, Family & Recovery Resources

The Foundation shares resources to help families, students, educators, and communities navigate the aftermath of violence and identify appropriate next steps.

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Bend, Oregon, School Shooting Response

 

The Foundation has published information about its response resources following the Silver Rail Elementary incident in Bend, Oregon.

 

For missing or endangered children, contact law enforcement immediately. Do not delay an official report while seeking assistance from the Foundation or other organizations.

 

Scholarships & Educational Opportunity

The Foundation’s youth-centered work includes scholarship initiatives that recognize young people’s goals, creativity, service, and potential.

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S.I.G. Legacy-Barber Scholarship

“The World Is Yours. Lock In. Leave Your Spark.”

The S.I.G. Legacy-Barber Scholarship honors Santino Israel Gonzalez, who was killed by gunfire at age 17 on February 21, 2026. The scholarship is intended to support a Kansas City-area young person pursuing barber school. The first award is planned for the 2026 holiday season.

Read more:
https://www.theuvaldefoundation.com/post/youth-peace-justice-foundation-launches-scholarship-fund-to-honor-santino-gonzalez-s-legacy

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Brian Wilson Memorial Scholarship

The Brian Wilson Memorial Scholarship recognizes young people nationwide who combine performing arts or creative expression with community service, youth advocacy, or violence-prevention efforts.

Scholarship information:
https://www.theuvaldefoundation.com/projects-6

Program update:
https://www.youthpeaceandjusticefoundation.com/post/one-year-later-youth-peace-justice-foundation-continues-brian-wilson-memorial-scholarship-in-hono

 

Trees for Peace & Community Memorials

Memorials can give families and communities a place to remember those they have lost and recognize the lives taken by violence.

 

Through Trees for Peace, the Foundation supports memorial tree-planting initiatives in national forests and explores opportunities for local memorials in partnership with families, communities, and other organizations. Projects depend on permissions, partner coordination, community wishes, and available resources.

 

Explore Trees for Peace:
https://www.theuvaldefoundation.com/single-project-1

 

National Youth Violence Memorial Wall

The Foundation is developing plans for a National Youth Violence Memorial Wall to honor young lives lost to violence. Austin, Texas; Laguna Beach, California; and Boston, Massachusetts, have been considered as potential host cities. These locations remain under consideration and are not confirmed sites.

Related memorial initiatives and coverage:

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The Foundation approaches memorial work with respect for grieving families and the wishes of affected communities.

Youth Involvement & Community Partnerships

Young people can contribute to violence prevention, community service, remembrance, and recovery when their involvement is safe and appropriately supervised.

 

The Foundation may support youth-led service initiatives, outreach, and memorial activities with suitable adult oversight. Youth participation does not replace trained crisis responders, licensed professionals, law enforcement, or emergency services.

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The Foundation also seeks to work with families, schools, community organizations, qualified providers, and other partners when collaboration can help address an identified need.

 

Our Commitment

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, was established in response to a tragedy that changed families and communities forever. Its work continues through practical assistance, youth advocacy, violence prevention, CISM-focused crisis-response coordination, and remembrance.

 

Every situation is different.

 

The Foundation listens, reviews requests individually, and works to identify appropriate resources and possible next steps. Its ability to respond depends on the needs involved, available personnel, partnerships, and funding.

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FOUNDATION-WIDE CRISIS RESPONSE, COUNSELING, AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE POLICY

 

Recognize. Intervene. Prevent.

 

Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
Also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids

Phone: (254) 499-8027
Email: youthpeacejusticefoundation@gmail.com
Website: https://www.theuvaldefoundation.com/
Charity ID / EIN: 88-3268749

 

Support the Foundation’s work:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G88KEWBWBVGA8

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