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Violence Prevention:
Keep Kids Safe
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area is calling for solutions to the gun violence in the Albany area. No matter what we look like, which side of the Hudson we come from, or what’s in our wallets, we each want our families and communities to be safe.
We must stand up for each other and work together.
Gun Violence
We can't ignore reality in what is happening here in the Capital Area and across the country. According to Amnesty International 39,000 men, women and children are killed with guns each year in the USA. On average, 360 people in the USA are shot every day and survive – at least long enough to get to a hospital.
Here at home, shootings spiked since the start of the COVID pandemic, prompting former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare a first in the nation state of emergency around gun violence in July, 2021. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheeran also declared a local state of emergency.
Gun violence in Albany: A 2022 timeline via News10 with a comparison chart of incidents during 2021 & 2022.
BGCCA Commitment
The safety of youth, teens, and families is our top priority. Gun violence has been disproportionately impacting our Capital Area communities and has spiked since the pandemic started. BGCCA will continue to voice the obligation we each have to create the safest possible environment for our citizens, especially those who need us most.
SMART Moves
(Skills Mastery and Resilience Training) This BGCCA prevention and education program uses a team approach. Young people ages 6-15 engage in discussion and role-playing, practicing resilience and refusal skills, developing assertiveness, strengthening decision-making skills and analyzing media & peer influence.
Taking Action
- Talk with your family and friends about the importance of stopping preventable gun violence. See the 'Talking to Kids' section below.
- Contact your elected leaders about important gun safety legislation.
- Make a donation to the BGCCA and help to support our ongoing mission to keep kids safe.
- Follow local anti-violence initiatives like SNUG (Should Never Use Guns) courtesy of Trinity Alliance.
In The News:
June 2022
Nov 2021
The STOP THE VIOLENCE community protest happened on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 12-3pm at the northwest corner of Lark St & Madison Ave in Albany, NY. This event featured community speakers , a silent protest and garnered over 100 pledges from area teens to help to end gun violence in the city
Talking to Kids
Sadly, with gun violence becoming an epidemic in the US and here in the Capital Area, many of us are forced to have to talk to our kids about this topic far sooner than we’d like.
The following pieces offer advice for parents. One of the key messages is to keep what you tell your children simple, direct, and use conversations as an opportunity to reinforce your family’s own values.
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Young children need simple information that should be balanced with reassurance.
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Upper elementary and early middle school children can handle the information about the school's safety plan.
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Upper middle school and high school students may have strong and varying opinions about causes of violence in school and society. Parents should stress the role that students have in maintaining safe schools.
How to Talk to Kids About Shootings: An Age by Age Guide via TODAY Parents
How to Talk to Kids About School Safety via HuffPost Parents
How to Talk to Kids About Shootings and Gun Violence via Scientific America
Young Kids
Video for children:
Big Feelings: Sesame Street, Here for Each Other via Sesame Street in Communities
Interview with Paul Dunn by Darrell Camp
They discuss the violence epidemic in the Capital Area, local resources & partners, the power of music regarding violence, and the important impact we can each make to stop the violence.