KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — Turning pain into purpose this is what Layla’s family is doing along with dozens of community members to continue honoring the people who went missing in our region.
We developed Layla‘s Hope to share Layla‘s light, to share Layla‘s hope, and to bring hope to other people, said Morgan.
Stacy Morgan is Layla’s aunt who under the Mental Health Transformation Alliance began the program Layla’s Hope aimed at helping youth and young adults in need.
There are a lot of missing youth and young adults in this region and a lot that are experiencing homelessness or experience substance use disorder, said Morgan.
Their first event included several community organizations with a wide range of specialties.
We have mental health agencies, provider agencies that provide services such as counseling to human trafficking, said Morgan.
Those participating say events like these are crucial to make the community more knowledgeable about issues and keep cases like Layla’s in the public eye.
I hope that people within the community can gain essential resources for trauma as they may have experienced it or may experience it in the future, said Grace Delaney, Community Care Liaison for the Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
It spreads awareness about problems that affect our community and it brings us together as a community because we’re showing support, said Kate Vang with Appalachian Christian Counseling.
Although the cause of the event is not a happy one, Morgan along with the rest of Layla’s family want to make it a place filled with joy, just like Layla.
There is help out there and if you need it you’re not alone, said Morgan. We want to bring Layla‘s enthusiasm and make this event, as colorful and vibrant as she was and is.
News 5’s Yannia Nordelo will sit down with Layla’s family on Friday and get the full story about updates in her case.