Solidarity and Support for Boulder

It is the second week in a row that we are individually and collectively confronting the aftermath of a mass shooting. While bias-motivated crime sprees like what took place in Atlanta create fear that reverberates far beyond their geography, this week the threat and loss was literally in our backyard.

We are all processing a number of thoughts and emotions as more details emerge regarding Monday’s tragedy in Boulder. Sadly, Colorado is no stranger to active shooter situations or the toll they take on the impacted individuals, families and the larger community. Our hearts are with our grantees, nonprofit partners, peer funders, donors and friends in Boulder – many of whom frequented the King Soopers on Table Mesa Drive.

While it is impossible to reverse the loss of 10 innocent victims or undo the devastation inflicted upon their family and friends or the community at large – Rose Community Foundation and its donors often find solace in action. With that in mind, we want to share that Rose Community Foundation is contributing to the Boulder County Crisis Fund at the Community Foundation of Boulder County and would invite you to join us in supporting this fund. The funds raised will support the needs of those directly affected by the Boulder tragedy and the needs of the Boulder community as they work to heal.

Another meaningful option is to support The Colorado Healing Fund, which provides immediate and long-term support to mass violence victims – in this case, the families of those killed – as they work with victim service partners to identify victim needs and fill the gaps in financial resources.

To support the family of Officer Eric Talley, who was killed while responding to the shooting, we recommend giving to the Boulder County Injured & Fallen Officer Fund.

If the mass shooting in Atlanta last week and this week’s horror in Boulder has inspired you to direct philanthropy toward gun safety, there are a number of 501(c)3 organizations in this space, including Everytown for Gun Safety Support FundGiffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Sandy Hook Promise Foundation.

If you or your loved ones are looking for mental health support in processing this tragedy or guidance in talking to children about this situation, we recommend this online resource list compiled by our friends at the Boulder JCC.

The Boulder JCC hosted a beautiful online community gathering Tuesday night with the Boulder synagogue community and viewers from around the world. I will close with words adapted from the Mishkan HaNefesh that Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev shared at the event: “This is the hour of memory… Wounded by deep loss, we are here to reaffirm our commitment to life and its goodness; our community gathers us in… Today all of us walk the mourner’s path as together we seek strength for all the tomorrows that lie ahead.”


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