May 26, 2022
As we continue to learn details unfolding from Tuesday’s horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) is devastated by the tragic loss of lives.
As an organization that provides early childhood education to children from working class, non-English speaking, and immigrant families, it is especially heartbreaking for us to know that for so many in Uvalde’s predominantly Hispanic community, children attending school are a sign of hope and a promise of a better future for themselves, their families, and their community. We grieve for the families who were robbed of that promise.
No family should ever have to worry about the safety of their children when they are at school. We mourn the 19 children and two teachers killed in this senseless act of violence and for the people of Uvalde in unimaginable grief and we commit, more strongly than ever, to working toward a world where all families can strive for the promise of a better future without fear and violence.
It is an especially challenging time to be a parent or a teacher. One of IILA’s partner agencies, Pathways LA, has shared the mental health resources below.
- Help your Child Cope with Media Coverage of Disasters- A Fact Sheet for Parents
- Child Care Aware of America: Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events and More
- We Rise 2022- FREE Community-led events that supports health and healthy for LA County
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Help Line: 1-800-854-7771
- Los Angeles Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200 (Text/Talk/Chat)
- 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 24 hours / 7 days a week
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International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) is a nonprofit founded in 1914 to help newly arrived immigrants in Los Angeles. IILA’s mission is to provide skills, abilities, and resources to help families become self-sufficient and to promote cross-cultural understanding. IILA employs over 150 staff that provide child care, legal aid, employment assistance, transportation, nutrition, case management and other services to refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking, and low-income working families.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Alex T. Nguyen, MPA
Development Director
International Institute of Los Angeles
anguyen@iilosangeles.org
