U.S.

Two Columbine Survivors Have Worked To Move On, Heal By Giving Back

"We've been through this and it was awful, and so we can share our experiences, our awfulness in hopes of making it better for someone else."

Two Columbine Survivors Have Worked To Move On, Heal By Giving Back
Newsy Staff / Luke Piotrowski
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Heather Martin and Zach Cartaya have known each other since they were 6 and have been best friends their whole lives. 

And on April 20, 1999, when they were 17, they were in the choir room during the Columbine High School shooting when their lives and friendship were changed forever. 

In 2012, Martin got an idea for a support group for survivors of mass shootings. She wanted to take the anger and frustration and helplessness she felt after every mass shooting and use her experience to help other survivors cope. That's where The Rebels Project was born.