ST. LOUIS — Educators for Gun Safety (EGS), an initiative of Confluence Academies, has been honored with a What’s Right with the Region Award from FOCUS St. Louis for its commitment to gun safety education and advocacy.
Founded in 2022 in response to the alarming rise in gun violence affecting children in St. Louis, EGS has worked to raise awareness, distribute safety resources, and empower students to advocate for meaningful change. In 2022 alone, 18 children were killed and at least 72 others injured by gunfire in the city. Many of these incidents were accidental and preventable, underscoring the need for action.
Through partnerships with St. Louis Public Schools, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, EGS has distributed more than 250 free gun locks at community events and ensures gun locks remain available at all Confluence Academies campuses.
EGS has also implemented a gun safety curriculum for all Confluence students, incorporating educational lessons and sending home gun safety literature to families. The initiative launched an annual Gun Safety Day in May 2023, engaging students in a T-shirt design contest to promote awareness.
In addition to education and prevention efforts, EGS created a student ambassadors program to elevate youth voices in the fight against gun violence. Students from Confluence Academies and Saint Louis Public Schools participated in a gun safety panel discussion in May 2023, sharing personal experiences and calling for action. In April 2024, EGS student ambassadors from Confluence Preparatory Academy and Grand Center Arts Academy traveled to Jefferson City to meet with lawmakers, including Missouri’s then-Lieutenant Governor, who now serves as the state’s governor, advocating for policies aimed at reducing gun violence.
Looking ahead, EGS is working to establish a legislative-approved task force that would bring together educators, lawmakers, law enforcement, and community leaders to develop deeper solutions to the crisis.
The What’s Right with the Region Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and initiatives that are making a significant impact in the St. Louis area. Educators for Gun Safety will receive the Emerging Initiatives Award, which honors promising new businesses, organizations, or initiatives that are already serving as catalysts for change. EGS will be honored alongside other award recipients at the annual celebration on May 15, 2025.
By fostering courageous conversations, providing tangible safety solutions, and empowering students as advocates, Educators for Gun Safety is leading the charge to create safer communities in St. Louis and beyond.