Trees for Peace initiative seeks to honor 5-year-old Rhoam Summer with local memorial
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation announced plans Thursday to recognize 5-year-old Rhoam Summer through its national Trees for Peace memorial initiative and offered to fund a local memorial in Bend, Oregon. Rhoam was killed in the October 15th shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School.
The foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, identified Summer as the youngest victim in the U.S. school-shooting records it reviewed dating back to 1966. The Texas-based nonprofit was established following the May 24th, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
In response to the October 15th shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, the foundation reported raising and distributing more than $16,500 in financial assistance for counseling expenses, missed work, and other emergency needs.
The organization also provided mental health support services to more than 118 Bend-area residents before concluding its independent fundraising campaign.
Daniel “Bodhi” Chapin, founder and president of the foundation, emphasized the importance of recognizing the young victim.
“Rhoam was only 5 years old. He should have had a lifetime ahead of him,” Chapin said. “We cannot give his family back the future they expected to share with him. What we can do is make sure his life is remembered, his name is not lost and we work with the community to consider a lasting tribute to those affected by this tragedy.”
As part of its local outreach, the organization submitted a Critical Incident Stress Management initiative packet to the City of Bend for consideration, along with information on Acute Traumatic Stress Management.
The foundation also submitted a back-to-school guide to district officials. Foundation representatives clarified that the submitted materials are resources offered for consideration rather than adopted city or school district policies.
The foundation invited Bend's mayor to collaborate on the proposed local memorial, though no joint plan or municipal commitment has been finalized.
Chapin outlined the organization's overall response in the community.
“Our work in Bend has been about helping people through the immediate aftermath while also looking at what support and remembrance can mean over time,” Chapin said. “We have provided assistance, shared crisis-response resources and submitted guidance for officials to consider as students return to school. We hope local leadership will also consider working with us on a memorial that gives the community a lasting place to remember and reflect.”
Other foundation efforts under consideration include a proposed award honoring individuals who intervened during the shooting, a letter of solidarity representing more than 250 young people across 12 states, and the potential creation of a local foundation chapter in Bend.
The national Trees for Peace initiative includes a registry of more than 100 young people in its U.S. section and six individuals lost in the school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
