More about Secured My School
Our Story
Our story began in rural South Dakota, where founder Dr. Maria Bell built her medical career serving patients in communities that too often had to make do with less. Her work in rural healthcare showed her how much safety, access, and dignity depend on having the right tools in the right hands. Together with her daughter, public health professional and nonprofit leader Gabriella Schmidt‑Grimminger, she carried that conviction into school safety.
After witnessing rising concern about gun violence and emergency preparedness in their own community, Dr. Bell and Gabriella launched Secured My School to make life‑saving technology accessible to schools that could not otherwise afford it. Instead of adding more hardware, guards, or disruptive drills, they chose a different path: using detailed 3D digital models of school buildings to help first responders, administrators, and communities prepare smarter, faster, and with less strain on school budgets.
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Today, Secured My School serves as a nonprofit bridge between cutting‑edge Digital Twin Imaging and the schools and public institutions that need it most. By leveraging grants and philanthropic support, the organization reduces the cost of these 3D security models so that even under‑resourced districts can benefit from precise, modern tools for emergency planning, facilities management, and community peace of mind.
Mission
Secured My School’s mission is to expand access to Digital Twin Imaging for schools and community institutions by reducing cost barriers through grants, partnerships, and philanthropy. We provide high‑quality 3D digital models that strengthen safety, emergency preparedness, and facility planning in under‑resourced and historically disadvantaged communities.
Vision
Secured My School envisions communities where every student, educator, and staff member learns and works in spaces that are safe, well‑prepared, and supported by modern technology. As gun violence and other emergencies continue to threaten school environments, we strive to ensure that advanced safety and preparedness tools are available not only to the wealthiest districts, but to all communities committed to protecting their children and sustaining strong learning environments.
Goals
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Make high‑quality Digital Twin Imaging and 3D school models attainable for schools and public institutions that face financial, geographic, or capacity barriers.
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Support school leaders and first responders with precise, up‑to‑date visual information to strengthen emergency preparedness, response planning, and day‑to‑day facility management.
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Leverage grants, donations, and strategic partnerships to consistently lower the cost of Digital Twin Imaging services for under‑resourced and historically marginalized communities.
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Collaborate with educators, safety professionals, and community stakeholders to continuously improve how digital building models are used to protect students and support effective learning environments.
