In the wake of tragedy, some families find strength by transforming grief into action. Help Save the Next Girl is one such story. Founded in 2011 after the abduction and murder of Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington, the organization emerged as a national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about crimes against women, promoting personal safety, and preventing future acts of violence.
Morgan’s death left a lasting scar not just on her family and friends, but on the Virginia Tech community and the wider public. Her parents, Gil and Dan Harrington, channeled their grief into advocacy, determined to honor their daughter’s memory by working to ensure that no other family would have to endure such loss. What began as a local effort has grown into a widespread movement, with student chapters across colleges and high schools in the United States.
The significance of Help Save the Next Girl lies in its mission. At its core, the organization equips young people with resources to recognize risks, make safer choices, and look out for one another. Its work includes hosting educational events, distributing safety materials, supporting survivors, and building strong partnerships with law enforcement and community leaders. By amplifying the conversation about personal safety and violence prevention, HSNG empowers communities to act collectively against a culture that too often normalizes harm.
On campus, chapters embody the heart of this mission. Students come together to advocate for safety, hold outreach events, and remind peers that vigilance and compassion can make a real difference. For many, joining HSNG isn’t only about honoring Morgan Harrington’s memory, it’s about standing in solidarity with survivors everywhere and helping to create a safer future.
Help Save the Next Girl continues to grow because its message is simple yet powerful: no one should face violence alone, and every individual has a role to play in prevention. By educating, engaging, and empowering students, the organization ensures that Morgan’s legacy lives on, one campus, one community, and one conversation at a time.