Dear Girl Scouts,
We are deeply saddened and concerned about Wednesday’s active shooter event that took place in Atlanta. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy, especially the victims and their families. We also extend our support to the many Girl Scout members who were in Midtown as these events unfolded and who were locked down in area schools and businesses.
We understand that events like this can be frightening and unsettling, especially for our girls. If you or your Girl Scout need support or resources to cope with this traumatic event, we encourage you to use these resources below:
- Girl Scouts of the USA When Violence on the News Shakes Her World
For child-centered grief and trauma resources
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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has many resources on grief and trauma, but here are some aimed at helping adults talk to children about violent events and grief:
- Tip Sheet on Coping After Mass Violence: provides common reactions children and families may be experiencing after a mass violence event and what they can do to take care of themselves.
- Guidance for parents for helping youth after mass violence: Offers parents guidance on helping their children after a mass violence event. This fact sheet describes common reactions children may have, how parents can help them, and self-care tips after a violent event.
- Helping teens with traumatic grief: Describes how teens may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
We also want to remind our Girl Scout families to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and take steps to protect yourself and those around you. The safety and well-being of our Girl Scout community is our top priority, and we want to assure you that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our members at our camps and events.
Our hearts are with the Atlanta community during this difficult time, and we are committed to supporting our Girl Scout members and their families as we work together to heal and move forward.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Amy S. Dosik
CEO, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
