On Wednesday, June 24th, the City of Durham and Durham County jointly hosted a “Summit on Saving Lives”, focused on advancing strategies to reduce gun violence in Durham. Since December 2025, the City of Durham and Durham County have worked together to understand violence in our community and identify what works to reduce it.
Community violence affects us all, including young children. Exposure to violence, whether directly experienced or witnessed, can affect a child’s sense of safety, emotional well-being, behavior, and ability to learn. It can have a deep impact on children during their most critical years of development.
Caring and consistent adults can support young children by providing nurturing environments, consistent routines, sensory calming activities, trauma-informed support, and resources for families so that children can heal, foster resilience and develop the social-emotional skills needed to thrive.
Often times, teachers, parents and caregivers of young children are also dealing with their own feelings after a violent or traumatic event. As an organization that supports children and families facing violence in their communities, it’s important that adults are aware of their own feelings and use coping techniques like self care (mindfulness, physical exercise, etc.), setting boundaries, leaning on peers for support and seeking counseling through mental health professionals or employee assistance programs.
Sesame Street provides a variety of resources on guiding children through violence to help them feel safe and secure. Check out the resource library at: https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/violence/
Community Resources
