KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News WeatherCounseling Helps Kids Stay Away From Violence

Counseling Helps Kids Stay Away From Violence

SALINAS, Calif- Counseling was available for students at Los Padres Elementary School after one of their classmates was struck by a stray bullet.

The principal held an assembly early in the morning to explain Friday's shooting, assuring them that they are safe in school. A non-profit group in Salinas wants to make sure that all students know that they are safe.

"Sticks and Stones" started a counseling program for the Alisal Union School District.

The program gives students support to keep them from falling into a familiar pattern of violence in Salinas. Founder of the group, Julianne Leavy, says they help students in many ways.

"We are helping them to deal with their stress in relationship to the trauma and how to manage that within themselves as much as we can and we are working with the parents as well," said Leavy.

Monday, Los Padres principal Hilda Huerta told students their classmate is recovering and may be back later in the week.

"She was released the same night, thank god. She's safe and home and nothing major happened," said Huerta.

A "Sticks and Stones" counselor said many kids wanted to talk today. Friday night's shooting reminded a lot of students about a string of violence they've seen.

"There's alternatives to violence and we're hoping through this program, we re planting seeds for these children and families and we're helping them break the cycle of violence," said Leavy.

Sticks and Stones counselors said it's important to make sure the kids know they have options that don't include violence.

The program started in 1997 and it's in 27 K-12 schools across Monterey County.