In their work covering crime in New Orleans, Richard Webster and Jonathan Bullington often saw neighborhood kids who’d been witnesses, lost family members and were present at crime scenes.
And they wondered — what does that do to kids?
The two NOLA.com | Times-Picayune reporters spent one school year finding out. Their series, “The Children of Central City,” tells the story of a group of kids, their families and schools, but also the science behind trauma and what it means for all of them.
The project came out in June. Since then, it has:
Led to a unanimous resolution from the New Orleans City Council calling on all schools to address the realities of childhood trauma.
Led to another unanimous resolution from the city council to drastically change how childhood trauma is understood, prevented and treated.
Inspired a billboard campaign by a local nonprofit that shares the message from the project — kids that experience and witness violence are #sadnotbad.
The project shows what local journalism can do when it takes time, care and a willingness to think past the limitations.
To read more of Kristen Hare's article, please click here.
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