“Not my kid”
What are you doing to keep your college student safe?
🎥 “Not My Kid”
Every parent sends their child off to college with big hopes, dreams, and maybe a little bit of worry — but most never imagine tragedy could touch their family. Not my kid, we think.
In this powerful video, parents who have lost a college student share their stories. We come from different places, different backgrounds, and different experiences — but we all share one heartbreaking truth: we never thought it would happen to us.
Our loss has fueled a commitment to help keep your child safe while in college. This isn’t about fear — it’s about preparation.
For every parent who has said, “not my kid,” we urge you to pause and ask yourself: What are you doing to prepare your child for college?
Stay tuned for the release of Not My Kid. It’s a conversation no parent can afford to miss.
Read about the College Safety Coalition to see how you can get involved.
DEAR PARENTS:
Losing a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure. What’s often unseen in the moment is the profound ripple effect—not just on immediate family, but also on extended relatives, friends, teammates, teachers, and the wider community.
Over a decade ago, we began this heartbreaking journey and have since witnessed countless other parents facing the same devastating loss. Through this, we’ve connected with many courageous families who, like us, lost a child during their college years. These tragedies led to the formation of the College Safety Coalition, a dedicated advocacy group committed to preventing future losses.
Our primary mission is to pass the Corey Safety Act as a national law. This bill would strengthen the existing Clery Act by requiring colleges and universities to report incidents that result in serious injury or death. While current federal law mandates reporting on crime, fires, and missing persons, it does not require transparency on non-criminal injuries and fatalities—even though accidental deaths are the leading cause of student deaths in college. This gap leaves a critical void in data collection, making it harder to identify and address risks that threaten student safety.
Seeing anti-hazing laws gain momentum—culminating in federal legislation in 2025—gives us hope that the expansion of the Clery Act will follow. We are deeply grateful to the brave families who have fought tirelessly for change. Their advocacy has brought significant progress, and we remain committed to ensuring that every student’s safety is prioritized.
No parent should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child, especially to preventable tragedies. Through the College Safety Coalition, we are committed to turning our grief into action—fighting for stronger protections, greater transparency, and meaningful change on college campuses. We believe that by closing the gaps in reporting and accountability, we can help prevent future families from experiencing this unimaginable loss. We invite parents, students, educators, and advocates to join us in this mission because every student deserves a safe college experience, and every family deserves peace of mind.
What are you doing to promote college safety?
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
The link below this paragraph takes you to an online advocacy landing page for the COREY Safety Act where you can send an email to your senators and representatives in the U.S. Congress.
Sincerely,
Angi Fiege
Founder of Rachael’s First Week
About Rachael’s First Week
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©2026 Rachael's First Week