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Family gathering around a Thanksgiving table with warm autumn light
Two siblings in graduation caps smiling in a sunny backyard
Child with bright red backpack on first day of school waving goodbye
Parents laughing with young children at a backyard birthday party
Group of friends seated around a table sharing a meal together
Grandmother holding a newborn baby wrapped in a soft yellow blanket
National Walk for Families · May 18, 2026 · Washington, D.C.

#ProtectEvery
Family

Grief becomes grants. Communities become change. Register for the walk in your city — or dedicate a donation in someone's name.

Can't Attend — Donate Instead
47,218families registered so far
updating in real time
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The Weight of Now

Numbers that should not exist

Before we build, we name what we're building against.

in the United States in 2023
48,830

Lives lost to gun violence

That is 134 people every single day.

in the 2022–23 school year alone
4,800+

Schools disrupted by lockdowns

One in ten American students experienced a lockdown drill that year.

for community prevention programs
$7.1B

Annual funding gap

Federal investment covers less than 3% of what researchers say is needed.

Where Your Walk Goes

Three roots, one forest

Every registration fee and donation is split across three program areas — chosen because they work together the way roots, trunk, and canopy do.

Youth & Schools

Youth Mentorship & School Safety

Funding trained counselors, conflict resolution curricula, and safe-space programs in the 847 schools currently on waiting lists.

$2.4M granted

to 124 school districts in 2025

68% of 2026 goal funded

Fund this program
Legislation

Legislative Advocacy Campaigns

Backing state-level red flag laws, background check legislation, and the organizers who show up every session to make sure these bills don't die in committee.

31 bills supported

across 18 states since 2022

82% of 2026 goal funded

Fund this program
Survivors

Survivor Support Networks

Direct funds to survivors navigating hospital bills, therapy costs, and the invisible work of rebuilding a life after violence disrupts it.

6,200+ families

received direct support in 2025

55% of 2026 goal funded

Fund this program
Find Your Walk

Walks in every zip code

May 18, 2026 — 47 cities, one movement. Find the walk nearest you.

Aerial view of a peaceful walkway through green park in Washington D.C.
Featured · National Event
Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

May 18, 2026 · 8:00 AM

5K Walk · National Mall to Capitol Steps

3,847 registered5,000 capacity
Chicago skyline reflected in the Bean sculpture on a clear morning

Chicago, IL

2,104 joined

May 18, 2026 · 9:00 AM

5K Walk · Millennium Park

Families walking through a lush green park on a sunny morning

Houston, TX

1,688 joined

May 18, 2026 · 7:30 AM

5K Walk · Hermann Park

A peaceful park path lined with flowering trees in early spring

Atlanta, GA

1,243 joined

May 18, 2026 · 8:30 AM

5K Walk · Piedmont Park

Voices you'll hear on May 18

Portrait of Dr. Renata Okonkwo, trauma surgeon and gun violence prevention advocate

Dr. Renata Okonkwo

Trauma Surgeon & Advocate

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Portrait of Marcus DeJesus, community organizer and founder of Safe Streets Coalition

Marcus DeJesus

Founder, Safe Streets Coalition

Chicago, IL

Portrait of Senator Patricia Holloway of Virginia, gun safety legislation champion

Sen. Patricia Holloway

State Senator

Virginia General Assembly

Portrait of Jasmine Tran, youth activist and survivor advocate

Jasmine Tran

Survivor & Youth Organizer

Parkland to Policy Initiative

From last year's walks

Participants walking together in last year's event holding signs of hope
Community members gathered at tables sharing food and stories after the walk
Children releasing paper butterflies at the memorial garden ceremony
Speaker at the podium addressing a crowd of several thousand attendees
Families posing together at the finish line banner with bright smiles
A father and son walking side by side on the memorial route
Their Words

Names that became funds

These are the people who show up. Who keep showing up.

“My daughter Emma loved school more than anything. When I heard about Protect, I registered our whole PTA within the week. Walking in her name is the only thing that makes grief feel like something other than a wall.”

Portrait of Diane Kowalski, PTA president from Naperville Illinois

Diane Kowalski

PTA President, Naperville, IL

The Emma Kowalski School Safety Fund

“I was in the library when it happened. I am 22 now and I have been doing lockdown drills since I was seven. Protect gave me somewhere to put the anger that doesn't burn me up.”

Portrait of Tomás Reyes, college student organizer from University of Texas

Tomás Reyes

College Organizer, University of Texas

“Our congregation raised $18,400 last May. Every dollar went to the survivor fund. We came back this year with twice as many people. That is what faith in action looks like.”

Portrait of Pastor Adaeze Nwosu from Grace Community Church in Atlanta Georgia

Pastor Adaeze Nwosu

Grace Community Church, Atlanta, GA

“Three years ago I couldn't say his name without breaking. Now I say it every time I introduce myself at a rally: I am Miguel's father, and I am still here.”

Portrait of Roberto Figueroa, father and advocate from Uvalde Texas

Roberto Figueroa

Survivor Father, Uvalde, TX

The Miguel Figueroa Youth Mentorship Fund