10 year old Gracie Parker to speak in DC in Sept.

My name is Elke Kennedy and I am the grandmother of Gracie Parker. Gracie lost her mom when she was 6 month old because of drugs and her dad has not been part of her life because of drugs and incarceration.

Gracie realized in 3rd grade that she was not alone dealing with trauma in her life after speaking with fellow class mates. Substance abuse is just one of the many traumas our kids today are dealing with.

And then, at the end of 3rd grade, her school lost the funding for trauma counselors put in place during COVID and so will most schools by the end of 2024.

That when she decided to speak out about the youth mental health crisis in our state and country and the urgent need to have trauma counselors in all schools especially at the elementary school level.

We need to help this generation to get the help and coping skills they need to grow up to be healthy, strong adults, by making better choices then some parents.

PREVENTION IS Intervention.

Currently, the US is spending in excess of $280 Billion / year on Intervention like detox, rehab, jail, etc just for substance use disorder related cases alone.

Let's provide our children with the help they need by providing funding for trauma councelors in all schools, a small amount to pay now vs billions of dollars over and over later.

In September 2022, Gracie was asked to speak at the First Annual Trail of Truth in front of the Capitol to raise awareness about Youth Mental Health and lives lost due to substance use disorder.

Since then, Gracie has spoken to NC Senators, NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley, at school board meetings, county Commissioner meeting and City Council meetings about this urgent need and she held the first ever Youth organized/Youth led " Youth Mental Health Help Rally in Franklin NC on April 30th 2023". The event was covered by WLOS Ch 13 out of Asheville as well as local Newspapers. All can be found by googling it.

Since then she has spoken at many events across WNC including drug awareness events, Rotary Club meetings, VAYA Mental Health Task force meetings for WNC, one on one meetings with NC Senators, NC House of representatives and just recently with US Congressman Chuck Edwards with her asking to have the opportunity to speak to House of Representatives and Senators in Washingthon DC who are working on youth mental health and schools. Representatives Edwards is working on making that a reality for her while she is in Washington DC this September 23rd 2023, where she has been asked to speak again at the 2nd Annual Trail of Truth.

Please help us with our expenses to get Gracie back to Washington DC in September for that event and the opportunity to speak to other legislators in the US House and Senate.

Any amount is deeply appreciated and I thank you in advance for your donation and for forwarding this to your friends and family via social media, email, etc.

The funds will be used for expenses to go to DC and if any money is left over, it will be used to support Gracie in upcoming speaking events, and creating a non profit for Whyuskids, Gracies platform.

Also, if you would like more information about Gracie and her project of advocacy and education, pls reach out to her and myself. We are always looking for volunteers and use any support in many different ways. Website to be published [email redacted]

Thank you