Violence Prevention Starts Here

When Prevention Becomes Personal: An Evening with the Violence Prevention Hotline

The Active Shooter Prevention Project™ (ASPP™) stage at the Style for Safety event supports the Violence Prevention Hotline and promotes prevention through the P.R.O. Model™ (Prevention. Response. Options.).

Violence Prevention Starts Here: Some evenings remind you why the work of prevention matters so deeply. The Violence Prevention Hotline event hosted by Gabrielle Diecidue and her family was one of those rare gatherings where purpose, generosity, and community came together in a powerful way. It was truly humbling to stand before the guests and help energize the room for a fashion show that was about far more than the runway. The event carried a deeper meaning, one rooted in remembrance, compassion, and a shared belief that prevention must always come first. Gabrielle and her family graciously opened their home to donors, advocates, and leaders who believe that communities can and should work together to intervene earlier, support people in crisis, and prevent violence before it occurs. Their generosity created a space where meaningful conversations could happen and where people who care about making a difference could come together in support of a mission that affects us all.

Gabrielle Diecidue and event leaders on stage during the Style for Safety event supporting the Violence Prevention Hotline and raising awareness for prevention-first strategies alongside the Active Shooter Prevention Project™.

The evening was especially meaningful because it honored Gabrielle’s best friend, Bella, whose life was taken far too soon by someone experiencing a crisis with no one to turn to. Bella’s story touched everyone present and served as a powerful reminder that prevention is not an abstract idea; it is about people, families, and moments that can never be recovered once they are lost. Bella’s memory is becoming a catalyst for action, inspiring others to step forward and ensure that those experiencing crisis have someone to listen to and somewhere to turn before tragedy occurs. It reinforced something we often say in our work: society can replace many things, but one resource can never be replaced. They print money, but they do not print time. Time to recognize warning signs, time to offer help, and time to intervene before someone reaches a breaking point.

This message is central to the work of the Active Shooter Prevention Project™ (ASPP™). ASPP™ is a national initiative dedicated to advancing violence prevention through education, awareness, and practical strategies that empower organizations and communities to recognize threats earlier and respond more effectively. Our approach is built on the P.R.O. Model™ (Prevention. Response. Options.), a framework that emphasizes identifying warning signs, building preparedness, and creating systems that provide people with meaningful choices before a crisis becomes irreversible. Through ASPP™, we travel across the country and internationally delivering seminars, keynote presentations, and training programs for schools, corporations, healthcare systems, government agencies, houses of worship, and community organizations. Our mission is simple but powerful: to move society toward a prevention-first culture where knowledge, preparation, and compassion can stop violence before it happens.

Alongside ASPP™ is our nonprofit partner, ASHER 360, which expands prevention’s reach by supporting community initiatives, educational outreach, and partnerships to ensure prevention resources are accessible to those who need them most. The nonprofit effort allows us to bring together public safety leaders, educators, mental health advocates, security professionals, and community members who all share a common goal: saving lives through early intervention and awareness. Events like the Violence Prevention Hotline gathering highlight exactly why this collaboration matters. The organization led by Paul Krauss is providing a lifeline for individuals in crisis, ensuring that when someone feels alone or overwhelmed, there is someone available to listen and guide them toward help.

One of the greatest strengths of ASPP™ is its Community of Experts, a growing network of leaders and practitioners from across public safety, security, behavioral threat assessment, and emerging technologies who are dedicated to advancing prevention together. Distinguished advisors contribute their expertise to guide this mission, including leaders such as Brig Barker, whose extensive experience in national security and leadership provides invaluable perspective, and Glenn Norling, whose work in workplace preparedness and prevention training continues to expand the reach of practical safety education. These individuals, along with many others across our network, represent a powerful coalition committed to building safer communities through collaboration and shared knowledge.

The addition of passionate advocates like Gabrielle Diecidue and the work of the Violence Prevention Hotline represent a natural and meaningful extension of this community. Prevention is strongest when people from different backgrounds, families, and communities, as well as advocates, professionals, and civic leaders, come together with a shared commitment to helping others. Gabrielle’s leadership, her family’s generosity, and the willingness of so many guests to support the cause demonstrated exactly what that spirit looks like in action. The fashion show itself became more than an event; it became a platform to raise awareness, honor Bella’s memory, and remind everyone present that each of us can make a difference.

Throughout the evening, it was clear that the event’s impact extended far beyond a single night. The conversations that took place, the resources that were supported, and the awareness that was raised all contribute to a larger movement focused on prevention and compassion. Many people often say they wish there were something they could do to help address violence in society. The truth is that there is something each of us can do. Supporting initiatives like the Violence Prevention Hotline, volunteering time, contributing resources, and simply learning how to recognize and respond to warning signs are all meaningful steps that help strengthen our communities.

It was an honor to represent the Active Shooter Prevention Project™, our Community of Experts, and ASHER 360during such a powerful and inspiring evening. More importantly, it was a privilege to stand alongside the Diecidue family, Paul Krauss, and so many dedicated individuals who believe in a future where prevention becomes the norm rather than the exception. Nights like this remind us that real progress happens when people come together with compassion, courage, and a shared determination to help others.

Community leaders, hosts, and prevention advocates gathered at the Style for Safety event benefiting the National Violence Prevention Hotline and supporting the prevention-first mission shared by the Active Shooter Prevention Project™ and ASHER 360.

Together, we continue moving forward toward the future we all believe is possible, one built on awareness, preparedness, and prevention, and one that brings us closer every day to Destination #NEVERHERE™

Violence Prevention Starts Here

Chris Grollnek, Active Shooter Expert