BEFORE THE THREAT Building Bridges, Not Walls A National School Safety and Violence Prevention Brief for the 2026–27 School Year Youth Peace & Justice Foundation (YPJF) Also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids August 2026 WHY YPJF IS ISSUING THIS BRIEF The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation (YPJF), also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is a national student advocacy and violence-prevention nonprofit established following the May 24, 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary

14 August 2026 Tragedies leave communities searching for ways to heal and support those most affected. After the heartbreaking loss of four children and an adult in Winfield, Kansas, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, has stepped forward with a clear mission: to ensure that donations raised in response to this tragedy reach the right families with care and respect. This post explores how the Foundation and Winfield Police Chief

Every effort our foundation makes, from responding to crises to building long-term community partnerships, is driven by a simple but powerful purpose: to stand with families during their darkest moments and help guide them toward healing. Recently, we were deeply touched to receive a heartfelt message from Heaven’s 27 Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the memories and dreams of twenty-seven young daughters whose lives left a lasting impact. This post explore

The start of a new school year often brings excitement, but it can also bring financial stress for many families. Recognizing this challenge, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, has stepped up to support Bell County students by delivering more than 438 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. With 562 backpacks still available, the foundation continues its mission to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed

The recent tragic mass shooting on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville, North Carolina, sparked urgent calls for community safety and violence prevention. In the aftermath, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, stepped forward with public safety initiatives and a reward offer to support the investigation. However, a communication breakdown between the Foundation and the Asheville Police Department initially caused confusion and delayed c

The tragic loss of a young life shakes a community to its core. On July 30, 2026, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, announced a national fundraiser in collaboration with the family to support the tragic loss of 13-year-old Adrian Yancey Titsworth Jr., who was fatally shot in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This initiative aims to provide immediate financial relief and emotional support to the grieving family while rallying the community to s

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation has announced a national fundraising campaign aimed at expanding programs that promote youth safety, improve crisis response, and support community healing across the United States. Running from August 1 through September 1, 2026, the campaign seeks to raise $15,000 to strengthen these vital initiatives. This effort builds on the Foundation’s commitment to transforming tragedy into positive action, following the devastating events at Robb

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Uvalde Foundation for Kids Renames Child Search Initiative "Emmanuel's Hope" in Honor of Missing Baby Emmanuel Haro TEMPLE, TX – The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, a national child advocacy and violence prevention organization, today announced it is renaming its "No Child Lost" initiative to "Emmanuel's Hope." The change comes in honor of baby Emmanuel Haro, the seven-month-old infant from California who has been missing since August 14, 2025, and is now fe

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE 29 July 2024 Foundation For Kids Waukegan, Illinois - The Foundation, a national nonprofit organization formed in response to the May 2022 Uvalde, Texas school shooting, announced Monday morning that it will be recognizing Waukegan High School Resource Officer (SRO) Brian Falotico with its National Award for Heroism. This after Falotico — who has been working at the HS campus for over 9 years, was recently credited by school, law enforcement & district

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation has taken a meaningful step to honor the memory of Santino Israel Gonzalez, a Kansas teenager whose life was tragically cut short. On July 30, 2026, the Foundation announced the creation of the Santino Gonzalez Memorial Barber Scholarship Fund. This scholarship aims to support young people who share Santino’s passion for barbering and want to build careers that serve their communities. Santino’s story is one of dreams interrupted but not f

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2026 Youth Peace & Justice Foundation Youth Heroism Awards to Be Presented During School Pledge Ceremony on May 19, 2026 The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation announced today that students recently selected to receive the Foundation’s Youth Heroism Award will be formally recognized during a special school ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Hancock Middle School The recognition will take place during the school’s regularly scheduled

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation Recognizes Seattle Public Schools for Exemplary Outreach and Commitment to Youth Well‑Being Seattle, WA — The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation proudly acknowledges Seattle Public Schools (SPS) for its ongoing leadership, collaborative outreach, and dedication to advancing the safety, well‑being, and success of students across the district. Our foundation is truly thankful for their recent correspondence to us as we co

The recent shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival has left the community shaken and searching for answers. This tragic event, which resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries, unfolded during a lively gathering meant to celebrate food and culture. In the wake of this violence, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation has stepped forward with immediate support and long-term prevention efforts. Their work highlights the critical role of community-based initiatives in responding

A heartbreaking tragedy struck Grand Haven Township, Michigan, with the loss of six children and two adults. In response, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation launched a national fundraising campaign to support the affected family. What followed was a remarkable display of compassion and action, especially from young volunteers across the country. Within just one day, students mobilized to raise hundreds of dollars to help cover burial expenses, memorial costs, and other veri

Violence linked to street groups in Asheville, North Carolina and cities nationwide continue to devastate communities across the country. Too often, city leaders avoid naming the problem directly, hoping it will fade or resolve itself. This silence costs lives and deepens fear. The Safe Communities Group Violence Intervention (GVI) framework demands a different approach: cities must send a clear, direct message to active groups that violence will not be tolerated, while offer

Central Texas has faced devastating floods in recent years, leaving many families displaced and struggling to rebuild their lives. Amid this ongoing crisis, Ridge Point High School Cheer has stood out for its remarkable dedication to helping those affected. Their continued efforts to support flood survivors have earned them recognition from the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation For Kids. This blog post explores the inspiring story of Ridge

Severe flooding in Uvalde and nearby Boerne, Texas, has displaced many families and created urgent needs for emergency assistance. The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is responding by expanding its flood relief efforts. With over 100 applications for help already received, the Foundation is working tirelessly to support families affected by the rising Leona River and the devastating impact of floodwaters in the Texas Hill Countr

Creating safer communities where young people can thrive remains a pressing challenge across the United States. Violence affects countless families, leaving deep wounds and urgent needs for support and prevention. The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation and the Emily Finn Foundation have joined forces to address these challenges head-on. This partnership brings together two dedicated organizations focused on honoring victims, supporting families, and preventing violence among yo

UPDATED, JULY 13 2026: Youth Peace & Justice Foundation Nears Completion of Memorial Walk; Final 15 Miles into Kerrville Planned Tuesday KERRVILLE, Texas — July 13, 2026 — After days of walking across Central Texas in memory of those lost in the 2025 Kerrville floods, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation is preparing to complete the final approximately 15 miles of its Memorial Walk for Kerrville Flood Victims on Tuesday! JULY 8, 2026: The walk has taken participants through s

Lives, Legacy & Recovery Journey: Remembering Kerrville, Texas 2025 Floods (Proposed Route) July 4-13 Here are the updated, landmark-specific walking directions for our charity route, starting precisely at the Temple Buc-ee's and milestones before continuing through the rest of the cities. ------------------------------ 📍 Leg 1: Temple Buc-ee's to Belton City Hall — ~12 Miles 1. Start: Depart from Buc-ee's (4155 N General Bruce Dr) and head South on the I-35 South Frontag