Phoenix 999

Nearly 30 mass shootings occur yearly in the United States, leaving numerous survivors to struggle with the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These victims will generally not seek help in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. This is why Phoenix 999 needs your support.

Testimonials

Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing this letter in support of the worthwhile venture Phoenix 999. This group was started by a group of Columbine Alumni. The students who attended Columbine during 1999-2002 were denied a normal high school life and had their lives changed forever as a result of the horrific tragedy that occurred on April 20, 1999. As the principal of Columbine High School for the past 17 years and a member of the staff for the past 34, I personally realize the impact that the Columbine tragedy had on the members of our school community.

The group's mission statement is: Phoenix 999 was created and established by survivors of the Columbine High School Massacre in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado Theater shooting, in an effort to provide financial and educational resources to victims of violence and violent crime. The mission of Phoenix 999 is to provide financial and educational resources to victims and their families affected by mass tragedy and violence. Phoenix 999 will provide these resources through several different means and channels including: Strengthening affected communities and individuals, both mentally and financially, to protect from and avert other possible tragedies.

What I have learned as a result of surviving the Columbine tragedy: we had to redefine normal. As someone told me it is "a marathon and not a sprint." Unfortunately, funds and support run out even though Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect people for the remainder of their lives. I am living proof of that and am fortunate that I continue to have the support I need to live a productive life.

I was naïve in thinking that there would be lessons learned as a result of the 13 lives who were lost on April 20, 1999 hoping their deaths would not be in vain. We have seen school violence and violence in communities continue. In our state alone we have offered support to Platte Canyon High School, Deer Creek Middle School, The Faith Bible School and now the Aurora victims.

I cannot stress how important it is during a time of tragedy to have the support of individuals and groups who have experienced the same loss and grief from horrific acts of violence. The members of our school community would not have recovered without the support of others who shared common experiences. Unfortunately, we are all members of a club we did not want to join. As I once read, "we cannot determine what happens to us but we can determine how we react to what happens to us." Needless to say, I am proud of our graduates who are willing to help others and fully support their efforts: and I will be joining them in many of their ventures.

Sincerely,

Frank DeAngelis
Principal
Columbine High School

Dear Sir or Madam:
This letter represents my strong support for Phoenix 999. As a member of Denver City Council, I am aware of the toll that mass violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can take on a community and its residents. Colorado has been the site of two mass tragedies in the last fifteen years, and the communities and victims are still struggling to recover.
Phoenix 999 seeks to aid these struggling communities and was created and established by survivors of the Columbine High School Massacre in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado Theater shooting, in an effort to provide financial and educational resources to victims of mass violence. These victims will often struggle with PTSD as a result of experiencing a traumatic event. People suffering from PTSD often use "avoidance" or "emotional numbing" to detach from the traumatic situation, and because of this may not have serious manifestations of PTSD (such as anxiety disorder or severe depression) for several years.
In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event there are multiple resources available to victims to fund their mental health treatments and recoup lost wages due to missed work time. While these resources are valuable, the organizations that distribute them often have "sunset clauses", which limit the amount of time victims have to access these funds for mental health treatment. This creates a difficult situation as PTSD symptoms often take years to manifest. Phoenix 999 has sought to remedy this by creating a permanent endowment for victims of mass violence.
Phoenix 999 seeks to combat the effects of PTSD by being their polar opposite: a tremendous force for good.
As a member of the Colorado community I fully support this organization's mission and encourage their efforts to build what is sure to be a very successful resource for those in need.

Thank you for your consideration,
Susan K...