The S.A.S.S. Foundation Inc. was founded by an orphaned parent who suffered the unexpected death of her 16 year old daughter.
On January 3rd, 2005 after a 22 hour search for her missing daughter; the dreaded knock came with the news that her daughter Kyla was found; she had been dumped left to die after a so called accidental drug overdose. Although 3 men were arrested; justice was never served; each man received 6 months for "indignity to a dead body" and "Obstructing justice." Through Sarah's trials and turmoil she also lost her grandson and her mother in the same year. It seemed like Death had become a part of her life. She lost a 14 year old niece in January 2000, and her brother in 2003.
She was unable to perform her duties as a sales representative having lost vital assets of her career; her personality and telephone. Both had been tied up, from drawn out court hearings, and incoming calls of reporters, family and friends. She was dismissed from her position due to her inability to be responsible for her financial obligations.
Lost and abandoned; she soon learned that every door she tried to open for financial aid was slammed shut in her face. Unable to grieve with the many stresses of collections and disconnections; she became determined to create a non-profit organization to aid parents who lost a child in tragedy. Her mission is to help other grieving parents financially and teach the public, in aiding them to better understand and appreciate why victims have difficulty moving forward when they have lost a part of their future.
Her strength, courage and determination was drawn from the injustice of a system who failed her. She is an advocate for making changes to 911 and having bereavement leave extended from the alloted 5 days paid leave they presently have.
She is depending on donations and sponsors to help her create a means for grieving parents to maintain their financial obligations.
She is forever thankful to her daughter Amanda who helped to make her vision a reality; she too had lost her son and her sister that same year. Together a mother and daughter team set out to do what should have been provided for victims many years ago. A means of financial aid to help them stay connected to society.
