Bend, Ore. – The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation announced Thursday its plan to honor 5‑year‑old Rhoam Summer, the youngest victim of the October 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, through the national Trees for Peace memorial initiative. The Texas‑based nonprofit, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, is offering to fund a local memorial in Bend and has already distributed more than $16,500 in assistance for counseling, missed work and other emergency needs.
Local outreach and resources
In addition to the memorial proposal, the foundation submitted a Critical Incident Stress Management packet and information on Acute Traumatic Stress Management for the City of Bend’s consideration. A back‑to‑school guide was also shared with district officials, though the foundation clarified that these materials are offered as resources, not adopted policies.
Founder and president Daniel “Bodhi” Chapin emphasized the importance of remembering Rhoam’s short life. “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.”
Support for families and the broader community
The foundation’s response in Bend has focused on immediate relief and long‑term remembrance. It has provided mental‑health support to more than 118 Bend‑area residents and helped families cover counseling expenses and other urgent costs. Chapin noted that the organization’s work “has been about helping people through the immediate aftermath while also looking at what support and remembrance can mean over time.”
Beyond the memorial, the group is exploring additional ways to honor those impacted. Proposals include an award for individuals who intervened during the shooting, a letter of solidarity signed by over 250 young people from 12 states, and the possible creation of a local chapter of the foundation in Bend.
Collaboration with local leaders
The foundation has invited Bend’s mayor to collaborate on the proposed memorial, though no formal agreement has been reached yet. The organization hopes that city officials will consider the tribute as a lasting place for the community to remember and reflect.
The national Trees for Peace initiative already maintains a registry of more than 100 young victims across the United States and includes six individuals lost in a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. By adding Rhoam Summer to this registry and establishing a local memorial, the foundation aims to ensure his memory endures within the Bend community.
Looking ahead
As Bend prepares for the upcoming school year, the foundation’s resources and proposed memorial offer a hopeful path toward healing. Community members, city leaders and families are encouraged to engage in the conversation and consider how a permanent tribute can serve both remembrance and resilience for the city.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
