Story rallies community to support families of the Uvalde school shooting

By Leah Bomar – Story Associate

June 7, 2022

Within a day of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Story founder Natalia Bishop sent out a call to action..

“Is it possible for us to rally our community and see if we can help garner some support for the families of the Uvalde shooting? This is a mostly Latinx community of modest means.”

While so many of us are experiencing the collective grief over such an unimaginable tragedy, the entire community of this small Texas town is now living with a devastating reality.  

In the elementary school where 19 children were killed alongside two teachers, nearly 80% of students are listed as economically disadvantaged.  About 1 in 3 Uvalde children live in poverty.  The US Census Bureau lists the city of Uvalde as about 15,000 residents; more than 80 percent identify as Hispanic or Latino.  

Uvalde is primarily working class, with a median household income of $42,000 and with fewer than a fifth of residents having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the US Census Bureau.

One way to help is by making a monetary donation to the Texas Elementary School Shooting Victims Fund organized by Victims First.  All of the funds collected from this fundraiser will go directly to the families impacted in cash payments, with no strings attached.

“We, VictimsFirst (a network of families of the deceased and survivors from over two decades of previous mass shootings) have started this fund to make sure that 100% of what is collected goes DIRECTLY to the victim base so the victims’ families and those wounded/injured are protected from fraud and exploitation.”

At Story, ‘Our Why’ statement reads, “We are in business to help people rise, connect, create community, have fun, encourage, support, and serve. We do this for the underdog, for future generations, for Louisville. We do this because we love people, because we are grateful, because it’s our legacy and it’s fun. We do it so that we can make a meaningful impact, share and set examples based on values, spread courage, operate out of love, passion, and joy.”

It’s a helpless feeling to watch tragedy unfold in an already struggling community.

Our hearts hurt.  

Story C.E.O Lauren VanCleave transparently expressed her sentiments to staff the day after the shooting.

“I am struggling this morning. After hearing about the school shooting last night, I woke up not OK. I'm having a hard time thinking about work and not worrying about those families, and even my own kids. This is a real fear and a real struggle and I thought it is important to share with you all.”

One of Story’s mottos is “Bring Your Whole Self to Work.”  

Sometimes that means a hurting self.  

“When I tell you all that your mental health matters at work, and we are a human focused workspace, that ALL of you is welcome here and I want you to make choices about work that prioritizes what you value, I also realize it's my job to set the example. To show up as my whole self.  Today my whole self is really sad. I am scared, and I am angry…  So this is me today. Check in on each other. Take a little extra care of our members today. They are showing up to work after sending some of their kids to school. Check in on yourself.”

The cumulative effect of stacked tragedies takes its toll on everyone. 

Emmilly Pollard is a recent University of Louisville graduate who interned at Story during her spring semester. 

“It's been a hard few weeks.  This is also a really hard day as it's also the anniversary of George Floyd's death. It's a really hard time to be alive…  My heart goes out to parents because they sacrifice so much for us and have the hope of sending their children to a safe space to learn, grow and find passions.”

Story Associate Leah Bomar was one of those parents who had to send her kids off to class for their last week of middle school festivities following the most recent mass shooting.

“The last thing my daughter said to me yesterday before I dropped her off was, ‘I love you.  Hope I don’t die at school today.’ ” 

So while we’re all hugging our babies tighter, navigating these very real and big emotions attached to the trauma of living in America during this time in history, 19 families are living with the fact their children did die at school that day.

If you would like to donate to these families in the affected community, please visit VictimsFirst.org.

Please know, we are holding space for each of you here at Story. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't forget to take some time for yourself.  Pop in our Wellness Room located in the first floor coworking area for a break or meditation.