Last month, we lost a young man and former participant of our Burndale afterschool program to gun violence, on the eve of his 18th birthday. His sister describes Noah as…
a big ball of bright energy that lit up every room he walked into. He was a huge leader and advocate for the kids in the community to strive and become better everyday. He encouraged all the young kids he interacted with to stay out of trouble, stay in school, and to listen to their parents. He was always someone you could call if you needed someone to talk to, whether that be emotional support, or for him to get excited for you about your accomplishments. Noah had just graduated and got his high school diploma on June 15th, 2024.
Noah’s death comes on the heels of multiple shooting deaths in Seattle and King County. In response to rising gun violence nationwide, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a first ever Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence. According to this report, since 2020, firearm‑related injury has been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents (ages 1–19), surpassing motor vehicle crashes, cancer, drug overdose, and poisonings.
On July 10th, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced 100 days of action against gun violence. The intent of these 100 days is to raise awareness and identify resources that can support solutions to gun violence.
Ed Prince, Renton City Council Member and Neighborhood House Board Member, shared his personal connection to this issue….
We are losing too many of our babies to gun violence. This issue is personal to me as I lost a family member to gun violence, and I know the lasting impact it has on the family members left to grieve.
Ed serves on the Regional Law Safety and Justice Committee – an elected leaders group working to reduce gun violence, with a public health perspective.
The youth team at Burndale in Auburn and all of Neighborhood House mourns Noah, who left us too soon. Yet it is imperative that we channel our grief into meaningful action to address the pervasive issue of gun violence. Neighborhood House offers many services to youth and families, including:
After school youth programs that center youth voice, choice, and leadership
Youth advocacy to re-engage youth that are not attending school
Peer led Guiding Good Choices parenting program
Health navigation for immigrant and refugee youth newly arrived in the U.S. and attending the Seattle World School
Rental assistance and support for families unstably housed in Seattle, Tukwila and Highline School Districts
Youth development programs provide more than just activities—they offer a safe space, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. These programs can be a buffer against violence, offering alternatives to dangerous environments and helping to build resilience.
Want to do more? Neighborhood House is a member of the Youth Development Strategy Table (YDST), building and strengthening access to youth development programs across Washington. YDST members are working to secure long-term commitments from funders and legislators to enable programming that supports the well-being of young people. Join today for free!
