On May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was the site of the second-deadliest K-12 school shooting in United States history. To mark one year since this tragedy, The Texas Tribune is convening the community for a half-day event, hosted by Southwest Texas Junior College, featuring parents who experienced loss, plus mental health experts, faith leaders and educators. The event will focus on recovery, resilience and healing.Â
While Uvalde has experienced the trauma of mass violence, the city is also sustained by the strength and love of its people and families. This community-centered event will examine the path forward for Uvalde and other communities that have suffered gun violence.Â
Join us at Southwest Texas Junior College’s Tate Auditorium in Uvalde from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Lunch will be provided for registered attendees. Parking is available on campus surface lots. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. This event will also be livestreamed on texastribune.org
Uvalde, like many other parts of rural and small-town Texas, has long suffered from a shortage of mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, clinical psychology, social work, counseling and therapy. Many young residents have also experienced adverse childhood events. And the tragedy at Robb Elementary inflicted trauma on the entire community. This panel of mental health practitioners will discuss the experiences of Uvaldeans, how they’ve processed their grief and how to strengthen local community mental health services.
Speakers:
Dr. Marian Sokol, CEO, Children’s Bereavement CenterÂ
Dr. Monica Gutierrez, Counseling Faculty Member with Sul Ross State University
Jaclyn Gonzales, Licensed Professional CounselorÂ
Moderated by Edgar Sandoval, reporter, The New York TimesÂ
Parents whose lives and families were forever impacted by the tragedy will speak, from the heart, about their journeys since that horrible day in May. They will discuss advocating for policy changes and meeting the community needs of Uvaldeans, and whether political leaders have been responsive to their concerns. This family-focused event will describe the families’ personal, and in some cases political, journeys.
Speakers:
Kimberly Mata-Rubio, journalist, President, Lives Robbed
Jessica Treviño
Veronica Mata
Moderated by Uriel J. GarcÃa, reporter, The Texas Tribune
Uvalde’s residents, parents, teachers, students and neighbors have experienced compounded grief. Many worry about the survivors of the shooting even as they’re coping with the pain of the past. This panel of advocates and faith leaders in Uvalde will look ahead to the city’s future and its continuing journey of recovery.
Speakers:
The Rev. Mike Marsh, St. Philip’s Episcopal ChurchÂ
Dr. Aide Escamilla, community advocateÂ
Sister Dolores Aviles, faith leader, St. Henry De Osso Family Project
Moderated by Arelis R. Hernández, reporter, The Washington Post
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members,
foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
Find a complete list of them here.
Email us at events@texastribune.org