All kids deserve kind, safe, welcoming places to grow.

A response to tragic shootings

Washburn Center for Children is deeply devastated by the recent shootings which have traumatized our local communities and our country.

Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in St. Paul – two fathers, two African-American men who were killed by police officers in front of their children.

We acknowledge the unjustness of repeated violence on people of color. We are grieved, saddened and appalled that such tragedies have happened repeatedly to families in our communities. Like so many others across the nation, we find ourselves asking:  how many more times will this happen before something will change?

Our hearts break at the subsequent violence in the Dallas community. Our thoughts are with the families of the five police officers who were killed and the countless others who were injured.

We believe that these incidents affect every single one of us because these tragedies impact the larger community that we are a part of. From the families grieving the loss of their fathers, to the families Washburn Center therapeutically supports, these incidents have a ripple effect throughout our community and spark intense feelings and important dialogue.

In support of individuals and families, we offer these resources to help process this tragedy:

Talking to Children About Community Violence

Tips from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network