Following a news conference held this morning (July 20), Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, a group formed in the aftermath of the school shooting at The Covenant School on March 27, 2023, issued the following information:
A group of parents of students at The Covenant School in Nashville, which was subject to a mass shooting that killed three students and three staff on March 27, announced the creation of two nonprofits to protect children from gun violence. Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows is a grassroots 501(c)3 organization comprising Covenant parents, staff, and survivors. This organization aims to provide education around the impact and prevention of school shootings and improve mental health support. Covenant Families Action Fund is a 501(c)4 nonprofit that will drive meaningful legislative change to ensure the safety of our children and staff in schools.
The families of The Covenant School have a wide range of political views but are united in their faith and shared desire to protect their children and all children in Tennessee from experiencing anything like what happened in March 2023. The two nonprofits are both dedicated to working with anyone who will respect all political and ideological viewpoints while taking meaningful steps to protect children. Both Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows and the Covenant Families Action Fund appreciate the decision by Governor Bill Lee to convene a special session of the state legislature in August to respond to overwhelming calls for action on gun violence prevention.
Covenant families have been engaged in 40 days of prayer and reflection leading up to special session, praying for the Tennessee legislature and seeking wisdom on the best way forward.
“The mass shooting at our beloved school has forever been threaded into the story of our lives,” said Sarah Shoop Neumann, a mother of a student at The Covenant School. “Though the trauma will never truly dissipate, we have no choice but to continue moving forward. My hope is that through education and legislative advocacy we can bring beauty from these ashes in honor of lost lives that we mourn so deeply.”
“In the most devastating and painful season of our lives, we are rebuilding with a sense of purpose and hope for a future free from gun violence,” said Becky Hansen, a mother of students at The Covenant School. “We seek to protect every child and staff member who goes to school expecting to come home safely. We look forward to these non-profits creating intentionally thoughtful events and conversations to light the path towards brighter tomorrows.”
“We mourn deeply the loss of our staff and classmates,” said Melissa Alexander, another Covenant School parent, “and feel called to share our story with the hopes of creating a dialogue. Through our advocacy, we hope to effect real change and make our community and schools a safer place, preventing future tragedies and protecting the lives of all children and staff.”