Parent-led nonprofit launches fund to support children affected by Silver Rail tragedy

BEND, Ore. (KPTV) - A newly formed parent-led nonprofit hopes to aid in the recovery of children affected by the Silver Rail Elementary tragedy.

On Oct. 15, three children and one teacher were killed in a mass shooting at the Bend school. A student and an educator were also injured.

The Silver Rail Children’s Fund launched over the weekend as an independent, all-volunteer Oregon nonprofit. The group’s 501(c)(3) application is pending.

Nonprofit director Nicole Ybarrondo has two children who were at the school during the shooting. She says the fund’s purpose is to help “kids feel like kids again.”

Every child who was enrolled at or present at Silver Rail Elementary on Oct. 15, their siblings, and the children of staff members who were at the school that day are eligible to benefit from it.

The fund will cover the cost of engagement events and activities for eligible children.

“We have kids right now who want to be together, who are processing trauma together. We want them to be together through play,” said Ybarrondo.

According to its website, the nonprofit pays businesses and service providers directly rather than giving cash to families.

The Silver Rail Children’s Fund was built under the guidance of VictimsFirst, a national nonprofit representing families and survivors of mass shootings.

The aid will extend far beyond the fun events. It will include long-term support for counseling services.

Every eligible child will keep access to the fund’s resources until age 25.

“There will be triggering moments throughout the rest of your life that maybe require intervention that they can reach back into this fund for should that ever be the case,” said Chris Peak, disbursement committee member for the Silver Rail Children’s Fund.

You can learn more about the Silver Rail Children’s Fund and its upcoming events on its website.

The group has also launched a GoFundMe campaign.