Girl Scouts affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy

As more details have emerged about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Girl Scouts of Connecticut is saddened to learn that eight Girl Scout Daisies and sons of two Girl Scout families have died as a result of the shootings. We are devastated by these losses and will keep the families in our hearts.

Many sister Girl Scouts have asked what they can do to help. Currently, Girl Scouts of Connecticut is planning a memorial service with the Newtown Service Unit in the future. At that time, we will be presenting thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes on trefoil art. If you or any of your troops would like to participate, please send these trefoils by January 18 to our Hartford Service Center, c/o Trefoil Project, 340 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106.

Further down the road, we are considering constructing a memorial at a local Girl Scout camp in honor of our lost ones.  Please continue to check our this page and Facebook page for updates as to how you can help support these efforts.

For parents and volunteers working directly with girls, we have compiled a list of resources to assist in discussing this tragedy with children and helping with the healing process:

Thank all of you for your support during this especially trying time.

Resources

• Call 2-1-1 from any phone. 2-1-1 is Connecticut's statewide information and referral and crisis line who are available 24 hours a day. They will connect families with the resources they need in the wake of the tragedy. If you or your child need assistance, dial 2-1-1 to reach call specialists trained in handling crisis situations. (Connecticut only) You can also search for services on the web.

• Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Grief and Loss Program-in-a-Box

• The Cove Center for Grieving Children
Several resources available on this website.

• Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
"Tips for talking with and helping children cope after a disaster."

• National Association of School Psychologists
"Talking to children about violence: tips for parents and teachers" and
"A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope."

• American Red Cross
"Recovering Emotionally"

• New York Times
"Tips for Talking to Children About the Shooting."

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
"Talking to Children about the Shooting."

• Fred Rogers' advice from Family Communications
"Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News."

• American Psychological Association
"Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting."

• Save the Children
"How to help Children Cope with a Crisis."

• Nurturing Parents and Teachers
"How to talk to Your Children About the Connecticut Tragedy."

• Connecticut Commission on Children
"Helping children and adults cope with events like the Newtown school shootings."

• National Institute of Mental Health
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do

• Massachusetts General Hospital
How Can Parents Help children After a National Tragedy?

• An Exchange article by Diane Levin
"When the World is a Dangerous Place - Helping Children Deal with Violence in the News."

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
"Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events."


How you can help.

• Girl Scouts across the nation are encouraged to write down thoughts or prayers or art in the shape of the Girl Scout trefoil and send them by January 18 to our Hartford Service Center, c/o Trefoil Project, 340 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106. We will present them to the Newtown Service Unit during a memorial service.


• Girl Scouts of Connecticut has set up a fund in honor of our Daisies to assist girls in attending Girl Scout Summer Camp. Click here for instructions on how to give through PayPal. If you would like to give, please write Sandy Hook Girl Scout Campership Fund in the "What is this gift for?" box.