PAX is a nonpolitical nonprofit organization working with all Americans to help bring an end to gun violence against children and families. PAX's two innovative programs -- SPEAK UP and ASK (Asking Saves Kids) -- offer practical solutions for protecting children from gun violence.

NATIONAL SAFE SCHOOLS WEEK

We had such a great time reading and viewing everyone's submissions. There are extremely talented students throughout the nation who so beautifully write and portray their feelings about school violence. We want to thank everyone for their submissions and congratulate our recognized students:

RECOGNIZED STUDENT FOR T-SHIRT ARTWORK: Alexis T., 6th grader from Mrs. Epps's Class at G.C. Hawley Middle School (Creedmoor, NC).

RECOGNIZED AUTHOR FOR LITERARY WORK: Amanda D., 11th Grader from Las Plumas High School (Oroville, CA).

You can visit the NSSW website to read the recognized poem and view some of the work that other students around the country illustrated.

SPEAK UP MINNEAPOLIS

PAX has partnered with the Minneapolis Public Schools, the City of Minneapolis, and the Minneapolis Police Department to implement a citywide SPEAK UP program. SPEAK UP Minneapolis is the first city to utilize PAX's innovative SPEAK UP text messaging technology.

Students are now able to text a city-specific keyword to the SPEAK UP text message number and anonymously communicate with a live counselor. Alternatively, students can call 1-866-SPEAK-UP to speak to a live counselor.

REPORT WEAPON THREATS VIA TEXT MESSAGE

PAX is proud to announce a new feature of the SPEAK UP Campaign. Communities and schools who partner with SPEAK UP will be able to report threats anonymously via text message, as well as by calling the 1-866-SPEAK-UP hotline. Partner communities will receive a custom text message keyword that students can use to report threats using their cell phones. Counselors at the SPEAK UP response center interact with "texters" to collect more information and forward that information to law enforcement and school authorities.

Since 2002, 1-866-SPEAK-UP has received over 30,000 calls. PAX is confident that the text messaging feature will lead to an increased number of threat reports and, consequently, safer schools and streets for young people. If you are interested in signing up your school or community for text message reporting, please email speakup@paxusa.org.

Read about the latest SPEAK UP success stories.

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