About Us
At Survivors Rejoice, the mission is to empower individuals and communities affected by gun violence. The organization fosters healing through holistic, mental, and physical health support. Survivors Rejoice provides safe spaces for people to reconnect with themselves and their communities. The group promotes positive change rooted in love, compassion, growth, and awareness. Survivors Rejoice events include holistic health-focused activities and therapies, highlighting the importance of a community supporting its neighbors.
Gun
Violence:
Ending the
SILENCE
There is no official definition of gun violence; the term is commonly used to refer to both intentional and unintentional actions involving firearms and their negative effects on individuals and communities. Categorized as either criminal or non-criminal, gun violence can include incidents such as homicide, assault, firearm negligence, and suicide. These occurrences lead to mental health trauma, complex grief, physical injuries, economic hardships, social isolation, community decline, loss of life, and more.
By initiating and sustaining dialogue regarding gun violence, we allow those impacted by gun violence to be seen as people, rather than solely defined by their traumatic experiences as a statistic. Reducing the stigma reminds us that anyone may be negatively affected by the misuse or mishandling of firearms. This approach creates a supportive environment that fosters healing within individuals and communities, while also opening opportunities for constructive interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes and related factors of gun violence.
A Unique
Case:
The United States of America is often considered the most armed nation in the world, with approximately 120 guns for every 100 people. About 33% of Americans own a gun, while 44% live in households that have a firearm. The connection between gun ownership and gun violence is a topic of intense debate, and there is no clear legislative consensus on how to reduce and prevent gun-related violence and fatalities.
— EBSCO, research on gun ownership.
American citizens own 46% of all civilian-owned guns in the world.
USA homicide rates are 26x that of other high-income countries.
— EBSCO, research on gun violence.
Prevalence,
Consequences,
and Effects:
Gun violence in the United States varies significantly from state to state, yet it remains a prevalent issue nationwide. Factors such as socioeconomic conditions, domestic situations, legal frameworks, and even healthcare access contribute to this violence. As a result, our communities often find themselves in ongoing states of vulnerability, grief, and recovery, which can be challenging to navigate without proper outreach and support systems. It is important to recognize that no demographic is immune to the threat of gun violence, and we must avoid treating these incidents as isolated events.
In 2024, the United States recorded 504 mass shootings. This was the lowest total number of mass shootings since 2019, suggesting a trend of increasing mass shootings since the pandemic. 2021 remains the worst year for mass shootings in the US since Gun Violence Archive (GVA) began tracking them in 2013.
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Each day, an average of 128 people die from gun violence—one death every 11 minutes.
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The total percentage of all homicides conducted by a firearm.
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The GVA has calculated that there is at least 1 mass shooting in the United States every day.
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Total number of people that died from gun violence in the United States in 2023.
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Total number of people deceased from suicide (the highest number ever recorded) in the U.S. in 2023 — one death every 19 minutes. Despite the overall gun homicide rate decreasing by 8.6% from 2022 to 2023, 17,927 people still lost their lives to homicide. The fifth highest in recorded history.
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Guns were the leading cause of death for young people 1–17 for the fourth consecutive year, prematurely taking the lives of 2,566 young people.
By the Numbers
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2023 Report - Updated for 2025
Recovery
and
Rehabilitation:
Healing both individuals and communities affected by gun violence requires a multifaceted approach and access to comprehensive care. Victims often face a high risk of re-injury, significant mental health challenges, and long-term physical impairments, such as paralysis. Survivors may experience feelings of isolation, physical and social restrictions, financial burden, paranoia, fear, and a diminished sense of safety. These issues can lead to maladaptive behaviors, increasing the likelihood of recidivism, substance abuse, and a risk of suicide. Community support groups, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic interventions are proving effective in aiding the recovery process for victims, their families, and their communities.
By the Numbers
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Percentage of victims that suffer from long-term, chronic pain.
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Over 50% of survivors will screen positively for PTSD within a year after incurring their injury.
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Approximately, 10% of survivors will suffer from a 2nd gun-related injury.
Gun Violence Survivors Need Comprehensive Care, University of Maryland-Baltimore 2025
Sarah’s Story
I am a survivor of gun violence but through this tragedy I gained a purpose greater than myself. My story is one of pain, loss, and, ultimately, resilience. I was shot six times an event that could have taken my life, but by the grace of God, I survived. I owe my survival not only to divine intervention but to the bravery of someone I loved dearly. My boyfriend, Malik, saved my life in that moment. In the act of protecting me, he lost his own. His sacrifice was an unthinkable loss, but it is also a reminder of the love and strength that still guides me every day. Going through something like this changes you in ways you can’t imagine. It also opens your eyes to the epidemic of gun violence in our communities a tragedy that happens far too often. After my recovery, I knew I wasn’t spared just to live but to serve. God gave me this second chance for a reason: to be a voice, a hand to hold, and a light for those who feel lost in the darkness of trauma. When I was healing, I felt so alone. I often thought, “If only I could see someone else who survived this, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way.” I understand now that my journey wasn’t just for me it was for others, too.
Sarah Bekele
Founder
In Loving Memory
Malik Millhouse - Your love gave me life.
Get Involved
Get Involved
Spread the Love
Are you an individual or a business with an interest and passion in healing others?
We welcome anyone committed to improving themselves and their community by working through past challenges, and we seek partnerships with anyone who would like to be directly involved in the Survivors Rejoice cause.
Whether you want to provide healing through therapy, counseling, coaching, fitness, music, food, or other activities, Survivors Rejoice is eager to expand our outreach through community events and would be excited to have you join us as a partner.
If you or anyone you know is interested in working with us, please fill out the form here.
Support Our Growth
It’s time to be a part of something BIGGER!
Survivors Rejoice is a dedicated non-profit organization where the mission to heal is at the forefront of everything we do. To continue our vital work, we rely on the generosity of donors who believe in supporting those who have survived gun violence and are on their journey to healing. Your contributions empower us to provide essential resources and foster a nurturing community for those in need.
You can make a difference today by donating to our cause. Supporting helps us maintain safe, healing spaces that provide holistic, mental, and physical health services. Together, we can profoundly impact the lives of survivors, guiding them on their journey to rediscover hope and strength in their recovery.
Survivors Rejoice appreciates your contribution!