Crime & Safety

KlaasKids Asks Public to Share Ideas to Involve Youth in Search for Missing Teen

KlaasKids representatives are requesting the public's help in identifying ways to involve youth in the search for Sierra LaMar, in hope that it will increase awareness and lead to Sierra's location.

KlaasKids Foundation, a nonprofit that provides search-and-rescue services for families of missing people, is asking for the public's help in brainstorming ideas to increase youth involvement in the search for missing Morgan Hill teen . 

KlaasKids Founder Marc Klaas tasked volunteers Midsi Sanchez and her friend Davina Joy with the responsibility of producing ideas that would get youth involved in the search for Sierra. The women are brainstorming ideas to increase youth involvement in hope that it will generate more awareness and lead to Sierra’s location—but they need help.

“Midsi and I are linked together trying to get 18 and under involved since 18 and above are the only ones who can conduct a search for Sierra," Joy said. "We're trying to find ideas, suggestions or ways—fast—to get the youth involved. Whether it be by passing out more fliers, even reaching out through Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, where all the youth is.”

Joy became involved with KlaasKids through her friend Midsi Sanchez, who was abducted and held captive for three days in a vehicle when she was 8 years old. The duo and Klaas believe that getting youth involved in Sierra’s search will help inform teens and kids who aren’t aware of Sierra’s disappearance and subsequently encourage them to spread the word.

“Kids talk, kids are social all over the Internet and they’re out there—they’re running the streets,” Joy said “They basically know more than we do and they know more than they really can even let on. They might have seen something and just didn’t think to tell someone. We’ve got to train their minds to think sharper and think smarter and really be willing to help.”

To help create more awareness among youth the pair is asking for readers to share their ideas. So far ideas include concerts and the selling of merchandise, like candles, buttons and pictures of Sierra.

“Marc Klaas was saying that hopefully within the next 24 hours we can come up with something," Joy said. "Obviously a car wash wouldn’t be smart because of the weather, but anything where we can maybe get donations, whether it be benefit concerts, local artists getting involved, maybe even Sierra’s favorite artist. Whether they’re independent artists, local, underground or even mainstream. People have hearts and hopefully they’re willing to help—it’s a child.”

If you have ideas about how to increase awareness among youth and get them involved in the search for Sierra LaMar, please post them in the comments section of this article.

Sanchez, Joy and KlassKids representatives will view the suggestions and utilize them to develop a game plan geared toward increasing awareness of Sierra’s disappearance among youth.

How can KlaasKids involve youth in the search for Sierra LaMar? Share your ideas in the comments section.

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