Today on the blog, we welcome a guest post from VMFC volunteer, Jenna Miles. Jenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Board Certified Counselor with a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and a specialty in Couples Counseling. She is the founder of Mile by Miles Counseling in Ashland, VA.

We are grateful to all our supporters, from those who follow us on Instagram and share our posts to the ones who hosted and attended meetups intended to spread the word about our mission and grow the volunteer base. Every little bit helps and we couldn’t do it without you. 

The election decision of 2025 has been devastating for millions of Americans. While it may seem bleak today, it’s important to understand that even if progress may slow down during the Trump presidency, there are many ways we can continue to advance stronger protections against gun violence.

The holiday season can be a time for togetherness, but for many families, it’s also a time when difficult topics—like politics, gun violence prevention, differing values, and old family conflicts—can quickly bubble to the surface. If you're dreading those hard conversations around the dinner table, you are not alone. Here’s how to approach these tricky topics with curiosity, grace, and the goal of fostering deeper understanding, even when you don’t see eye-to-eye.

Though it might seem surprising to a non-parent that the Surgeon General recently declared parenting “hazardous to your health,” if you have children yourself, you probably know what he’s referring to.

While Virginia Moms for Change is a bipartisan group, we acknowledge that the most effective way to reduce gun-related deaths in our state and nation is to vote for candidates who support gun safety legislation. Our best chance to protect our children from gun violence is to elect lawmakers who will pass common-sense gun laws.

Are you frustrated with constant shootings in the news? Are you feeling hopeless? Turn that feeling into action and join the new Virginia Moms for Change Advisory Committee. Learn more below.

This summer, gun violence prevention (GVP) emerged as a pivotal issue for the Democratic Party, showcased prominently at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). As we at Virginia Moms for Change gear up for the upcoming election season, we are filled with hope and determination, buoyed by the resounding commitment to GVP demonstrated at the DNC.

As another school year approaches, parents across the country are preparing their children for a successful academic year. Amidst the excitement of new teachers, friends, and classes, it’s essential not to overlook an increasingly important aspect of school safety: gun violence prevention.

Virginia Moms for Change (VMFC) continues to lead the charge in advocating for stronger measures to prevent gun violence. A crucial part of this work is consistent contact with our elected representatives. With that, we are aiming to have at least four constituent meetings this fall. As of now, we are planning to meet with State Delegates Betsy Carr, Rodney Willett, Phill Hernandez, and Marcus Simon. If these are your representatives, we would love to have you join us! Don't see your representative? Reach out if you would still like our guidance in meeting with your rep.

We’re excited to announce an initiative that will help us make strides in gun violence prevention (GVP) across the state. This summer, we're aiming to host 5 meetups to spread awareness and take actionable steps toward protecting our children and communities.

As we reflect on our journey over the past year, we are filled with immense gratitude for each and every one of you who have contributed to the growth and impact of Virginia Moms for Change (VMFC). As we celebrate our first anniversary, we want to take a moment to highlight the incredible strides we have made together in advancing our mission towards a safer Virginia.

Today marks the 17th year since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech, where 32 innocent people were gunned down and 17 more were injured on campus.

In memory of this horrific event, we would like to share a story from a volunteer. Content Warning: survivor story of a disturbing event.

Throughout April, Virginia Moms for Change (VMFC) hosted a series of Instagram Q+A sessions, featuring a diverse lineup of experts and advocates in gun violence prevention (GVP). From seasoned activists to legal analysts, each participant brought unique perspectives to the forefront, shedding light on crucial issues and fostering dialogue.

The Virginia General Assembly 2024 session marked a triumph for the Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) movement. With a staggering 2,274 bills under consideration, the assembly emerged with substantial achievements in gun violence prevention. Here’s a rundown of the session’s highlights and the strides made in gun violence prevention.

The Virginia General Assembly has done an incredible amount of work, and we're now at the halfway point for the session! Here's a wrap up of what's happened so far with many bills highlighted. We note that some of these bills have "some bipartisan support." We'd like to note that sometimes, this bipartisan support was from one Republican in the House voting for the bill--shoutout to Del Coyner for being the sole GOP member to vote for FOUR of these bills as well as also voting for six other GVP bills that had additional GOP support; we hope to see you support even more GVP legislation in the future! The Senate only had some Republican support for THREE of these bills (SB44, SB210, & SB225). We'd like to say thank you to the Virginia Public Access Project and the Virginia Center for Public Safety who made this analysis much easier for us to do!

As January comes to a close, we at Virginia Moms for Change are taking a moment to reflect on the incredible impact and achievements of our organization during "Action Month." This past month, our volunteers dedicated their time to our mission of preventing gun violence and creating safer communities.

As the calendar flips to 2024, Virginians can mark their calendars for a crucial event on January 10th - the reopening of the Virginia General Assembly. The legislative machinery is gearing up once again, with lawmakers filing bills that will shape the state's future. For those looking to make a meaningful impact in 2024, getting involved in activism at the state level is a powerful way to influence change.