YOUTH PEACE & JUSTICE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER, ANNOUNCES “TREES FOR PEACE” MEMORIAL, AND EXTENDS SUPPORT TO SHREVEPORT COMMUNITY FOLLOWING DEADLY SHOOTING
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- Apr 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2026
YOUTH PEACE & JUSTICE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER, ANNOUNCES “TREES FOR PEACE” MEMORIAL, AND EXTENDS SUPPORT TO SHREVEPORT COMMUNITY FOLLOWING DEADLY SHOOTING
UPDATE 04/23/26: YOUTH PEACE & JUSTICE FOUNDATION RELEASES SECOND ROUND OF DONATIONS, TOTALING $1,555.34 IN SUPPORT OF SHREVEPORT VICTIMS
UPDATE 04/22/26: YOUTH PEACE & JUSTICE FOUNDATION DELIVERS $1,005.34 TO SUPPORT VICTIMS WITHIN 24 HOURS, HIGHLIGHTS UNIQUE STUDENT-LED NATIONAL RESPONSE
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, today announced the first distribution of $1,005.34 in raised funds within 24 hours of launching its response to the Shreveport tragedy, providing direct financial support for victims and underscoring what leadership described as a rare, student-led national mobilization capable of generating and deploying aid in real time.
Fundraiser Continues Until May 1st 2026
UPDATE: APRIL 20 2026 CST: In lieu of the overwhelming support from Texans & several of our team & volunteer "Anchorpoint," Centers across the nation including in Georgia, Tennessee & Washington State - We will be continuing this fundraising initiative through the remainder of the month of April 2026. ADDITIONALLY, as we have now learned of Love One Louisiana, an initiative through the Governers Office; which has now committed to covering all the funeral costs for the victims of the Shreveport mass shooting - Our fundraising drives, upon completion will accumulate all national donations & deliver them to LOVE ONE LOUISIANA, as a show of a national support effort. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INGOING SUPPORT!
The Foundation also emphasizes that while funeral expenses are now being addressed through Love One Louisiana, continued financial support remains critical to assist with long-term recovery needs, including medical care, family stabilization, and community healing.
There are no borders in Love ....
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, a national nonprofit organization with a history of frontline crisis response, youth advocacy, and community-based intervention in the aftermath of violence, announced the launch of an emergency fundraiser, the future memorialization of the victims through its national “Trees for Peace” initiative, and the deployment of crisis support resources for the Shreveport community following the devastating shooting that claimed the lives of eight children and critically injured multiple victims.
The Foundation confirmed that the children lost in this tragedy will be formally memorialized within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests as part of its “Trees for Peace” program — a living tribute honoring young lives lost to violence while promoting healing, reflection, and enduring remembrance.
The victims have been identified as:
Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Khedarrion Snow, 6; Braylon Snow, 5; Markaydon Pugh, 10; and Sariahh Snow, 11.
Building on years of direct response to incidents of mass violence, family trauma, and youth crisis, the Foundation is actively mobilizing resources to assist impacted families. Immediate priority is being given to supporting the surviving mothers of the children, who remains hospitalized with severe injuries, as well as another woman who sustained life-threatening injuries. The broader community now faces profound grief and trauma in the wake of this tragedy.
The newly launched fundraiser will help cover burial costs for the children and ongoing medical, living, and recovery expenses for the mother as they begin a long and difficult recovery. Donations can be made directly at:
“This is an unspeakable tragedy — one that defies comprehension and leaves an entire community in mourning,” said Daniel Chapin, Founder of the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. “We are heartbroken for the children whose lives were taken, and we are committed to ensuring their names and their lives are never forgotten. Through our Trees for Peace memorial, they will be honored in a place of peace, growth, and lasting remembrance.
Our commitment is clear: we will support these families and this community through the days, weeks, and months ahead. No parent should endure this pain, and no community should face this level of trauma alone. We are activating our full crisis response network to ensure immediate and ongoing care is available.”
The Foundation also confirmed that its 24-hour Community Crisis Line is fully active, providing immediate access to youth peer support specialists and licensed adult professional counselors. Services include trauma-informed counseling, grief support, crisis stabilization, and coordination of emergency and long-term care resources.
254 499 8027
In addition, the Foundation is coordinating with regional and national partners to support sustained recovery efforts, including youth-centered healing initiatives, family stabilization services, and broader community resilience programming.
“This moment demands compassion, coordination, and sustained presence,” Chapin added. “We are here now — and we will remain here for as long as this community needs us. And we will ensure these children are remembered — not for how they were taken, but for the light they brought into this world.”
Community members seeking immediate support or wishing to contribute to the fundraiser are encouraged to use the donation link above or contact the Foundation directly.
Media inquiries and partnership coordination requests may be directed to the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation communications team.
About the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, is a national organization dedicated to crisis response, youth protection, emergency placement services, and advocacy. Through initiatives such as “Trees for Peace,” the Foundation honors victims of violence while working to ensure that vulnerable youth and families receive immediate support and long-term pathways toward healing and stability.
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
Daniel Chapin, Founder & President
📞 254-499-8027
Charity ID 88-3268749
