We have so much to celebrate as 2022 kicks off, but our hearts ache  because of  the continuing impact of gun violence upon all of us, including our precious children. The New York Times and the Washington Post each highlighted recently the mounting toll to teens, elementary schoolers, toddlers, and even babies. The stories and the Post’s editorial are horrifying accounts of what we already know, and mourn, and want desperately to change. And we’re going to keep on trying. We’ve got a long list of steps we’re taking  right now.

First things first: Look for a separate email later this week as we debut our new toolkit, created in collaboration with Giffords. It’s meant for survivors and allies, and addresses both the onslaught of emotions  faced by survivors, and the path forward for many survivors who want to take their pain and turn it into purpose. We are very proud of this collaborative effort and  we hope it will be useful in myriad ways.

At the beginning of February, along with the University of California San Diego’s  Center for Mindfulness, we’re launching a stress reduction meditation program that’s free to survivors who’d like to participate in a study and learn the very effective techniques mindfulness meditation offers. Please consider signing up this week!

Heather Sallan survived the 2017 shooting at a Las Vegas music festival, and she is about to embark on the mindfulness meditation program. Read more about what she’s experienced, and how she wants to move forward, in our profile below. 

On February 19, our Honor with Action tour will be up and rolling — literally! If you’re in the San Diego area, join us! We have a compelling slate of activities for the year, and are so excited to begin a journey that for the rest of 2022 will lead us to more than 20 cities around the country. If you’d like to dress the part, visit our Bonfire store, where we’ve got great clothing, totes and other items designed specifically for the Honor with Action tour.

That’s not all. We will be the inaugural guests on a new podcast, "Survivors Voices," that will first air in late February. Produced by a gun violence survivor, the show is meant to give survivors a unique space to talk about their feelings and observations. 

We’ve also been assembling stories for another book, and are glad to be adding these remembrances to the growing literature about the impact of gun violence. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to publication.

As usual, we include more news stories of interest, and more quotes from survivors. 

Make each day matter,
Sandy and Lonnie

Want to feel part of the action even before we put our RV in "drive"?
We've got some beautiful hats, T-shirts and other apparel, as well as  tote bags, mugs and notecards, that are available to all via our online Bonfire store. 

We will give out pens and notepads as complimentary "swag" at our upcoming stops. On February 19, in partnership with San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention, we launch out tour!

• Survivors Empowered has a roster of dedicated trauma therapists who help survivors of gun violence heal from the aftermath. Visit our website for more information. 
• We continue to look for volunteers across the country who want to help build coalitions and work with survivors of gun violence in their states. If interested in supporting our efforts, please contact us here.