A Safe Place

"Gun violence is the scourge of our society and the leading cause of death for our young people. With A Safe Place Luis has brought forward research and data to build a compelling case for how we can do more to bring safety back to our schools, and sanity back to our country. As relevant for parents and teachers as it is for lawmakers, A Safe Place is a resource the gun violence prevention movement will be relying on for years until we end this epidemic."

- Virginia State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim

"A Safe Place by Luis D. Aponte is a powerful call to prioritize prevention, safety, and compassion in our schools. It offers solutions that empower communities to act and is a must-read for anyone who believes every child deserves to learn with peace of mind and go home with dreams for tomorrow." 

- Lori Alhadeff, CEO of Make Our Schools Safe

"I know first-hand the effects that bullying can and does have on our children and families, having lost my eleven-year-old son to suicide due to it. With all of my heart I hope that this book will help prevent it from happening to another child and family. Having people like Luis dedicate their time, effort and even lives to help prevent another tragedy gives me hope for our world's kids."

- Kirk Smalley, President & Co-founder of Stand for the Silent

As a survivor myself of a tragic school shooting, losing my 14-year-old granddaughter, Alyssa Alhadeff, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting in 2018, I relate to Aponte's journey of hardships, trauma, and recovery. He describes how he found hope and purpose despite the pain of his past and how he built a "safe place" within himself and through his faith... Readers of all backgrounds can find inspiration to confront their past and focus on hope and redemption. Aponte acknowledges that healing is not instant and it involves patience, forgiveness, and especially self-love.

- Terri Robinovitz, coauthor of Live, Love, Play for 8: Alyssa's Legacy in Soccer

A Safe Place is a compelling, data-rich call to action aimed at stakeholders who don't want to wait for legislative reform to begin making a difference. It's particularly valuable for educators, parents, and local leaders who seek grounded, evidence-informed strategies at the school or neighborhood level. Its strength lies in mobilizing awareness and offering concrete starting points.

- Brian Qualters, Lieutenant, Emergency Management Division, Palm Beach County School District Police Department