Program Resources

Girl Scouts Families Affected in Connecticut Tragedy

We at Girl Scouts Louisiana East are deeply heartbroken at the horrific loss of the children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Making the tragedy more personal is the sad news that eight of the 12 girls who died were Daisy Girl Scouts, and two of the boys who died were from Girl Scout families.

The CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, Anna Maria Chávez, has offered her condolences to all those affected; you can read her message here. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering so greatly.

Show Your Support with Connecticut Trefoil Project

Many sister Girl Scouts have asked what they can do to help. Girl Scouts of Connecticut is planning a memorial service sometime in January, and they will be accepting messages of condolences from girls and supporters across the country on Trefoil patterns.

Girl Scouts across the nation are encouraged to write down thoughts or prayers or art in the shape of the Girl Scout trefoil. You can either print out the Trefoil pattern from the link below or pick up some larger green Trefoils that will be available in both Council shops. If you or any of your troops would like to participate, please send these trefoils to the Hartford Service Center, c/o Trefoil Project, 340 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106.

Resources for Dealing with This Tragedy

Girl Scouts of Connecticut has compiled an excellent list of resources for parents and volunteers working directly with girls to assist in discussing this tragedy with children and helping with the healing process:


• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
"Tips for talking with and helping children cope after a disaster."

• National Association of School Psychologists
"Talking to children about violence: tips for parents and teachers" and
"A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope."

• American Red Cross
"Recovering Emotionally"

• New York Times
"Tips for Talking to Children About the Shooting."

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
"Talking to Children about the Shooting."

• Fred Rogers' advice from Family Communications
"Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News."

• American Psychological Association
"Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting."

• Save the Children
"How to help Children Cope with a Crisis."

• Nurturing Parents and Teachers
"How to talk to Your Children About the Connecticut Tragedy."

• Connecticut Commission on Children
"Helping children and adults cope with events like the Newtown school shootings."

• National Institute of Mental Health
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do

• Massachusetts General Hospital
How Can Parents Help children After a National Tragedy?

• An Exchange article by Diane Levin
"When the World is a Dangerous Place - Helping Children Deal with Violence in the News."

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
"Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events."