A Mother's Mission: Funding an MBA to Honor Gracie Sasso

My 15 y/o daughter, Gracie, disappeared in May 2023. On 5/4/23 her dad picked her up from work and dropped her off around 10:30pm at what he thought was her friend's house. That was the last time any of us ever saw her. The next 3 days replay over and over in my mind. I can't get it to stop. I don't want to get into all the details, but I very quickly somehow knew she was gone, though I tried to be positive. I couldn't feel her. I am sure other mother's will understand what I mean when I say that. I also just knew that her ex-boyfriend, who at the time I believed was a 17 y/o orphan who took college courses and worked p/t for Ryder. I was absolutely positive of it. I learned a lot over those few days. I learned this boy was actually a 29 y/o man who pled guilty to a sex crime against another 15 y/o girl less than 3 weeks before killing my daughter. I spoke to this man at least 3 times while searching for my daughter. I cried and begged him to tell me where she was. I even asked him flat out if he had hurt her, which he denied. He was in the hospital at the time. In fact an ambulance had came for him only a few hrs after Gracie was last seen. I learned he was there for a back injury, which terrified me even more. With every piece of information that came over those few days, it became harder to keep any hope that she was ok.

Gracie was found in a dumpster, next door to where her killer lived. He had held her down and held a pillow over her face until she was no longer breathing. I will never forget the phone call I got. I knew the police were searching for her. I drove by many times while this was happening. Preying my intuition was wrong and that she was alive. A friend called me around 4pm and informed me that police had found Gracie, they had pulled her dead body out of the dumpster. I don't know how I made it to the scene. I drove there in a complete daze. I'm not even sure how I was breathing. When I arrived I saw a large number of police. I started yelling "is it true" over and over. Almost every officer looked up at me and immediately looked away. One detective came running to me right before I reached the taped off area. I begged him to tell me if it was true. "Please just tell me." He told me they found a body and I cried as I stated it was her, more of a statement than a question. I remember falling to the ground as my knees buckled.

I knew in that moment I would never be the person I had been and my life would never be the same. Somehow I have survived the last few years. I can't tell you how but as much as I wanted to die, I knew God had to have a plan, a purpose for me. That could be the only reason she was gone, and I was still here. I have done as much as I can to honor her and keep her memory alive. Gracie loved me like no one else ever has, and I loved her just as much. We understood each other. Even if we were upset with each other our last words to each other were always I love you. She was loyal and loved me unconditionally. I still love her so much it hurts. I miss her more with each day that passes. Time does not heal all wounds. Losing Gracie, especially in such a horrific way, broke me. Broke my heart, my soul and my spirit. I know I have to find a way to live without her.

It is my job to live not only for myself, but for her too. I HAVE to make sure she does not die in vain. Her murderer was a registered sex offender, who after sitting on house arrest for 3 years, preying on young women the entire time, was sentenced to time served and probation. He never served any time for  what he did to the 15 y/o girl in that case. I never want another girl or mother to go through this horrific tragedy. A few people, and I are working towards getting  a law passed, Gracie's Law, which will require harsher sentences for sex offenders, particularly pedophiles. The law completely failed my daughter, all those who love her and his prior victim.

Gracie was a very special person and I just knew she would have a positive impact on the world. Everyone lucky enough to have known her agrees with me.  I always said I didn't chose social work, it chose me. Gracie was just like me. She had her life stolen from her before she really got to live. Before she got the chance to graduate, chose a career, get married, have children, make her mark on the world. It is up to me now to be her voice and to make a positive impact. The world was a better place with her in it and I am so much better of a person for having had 15 and a half years with her. I thought long and hard about what I should do to honor her and keep her memory alive. How could I possible turn my nightmare into something beautiful? I have decided to start a non-profit to help victims of sexual abuse, especially teenagers. I'm calling it Gracie's Truth: The Gracie Sasso Foundation. My vison is to provide all services needed to empower victims and help them heal. 

I am in the very beginning stages, learning more each day. I have a BSW, which helps me so much. My knowledge and experience in the field provides the passion and insight needed. I lack the practical business skills needed to run a successful agency. This has all led me to where I am now. I just started classes to earn my MBA, 2 weeks ago. The only problem is graduate students are not eligible for any grants or even subsidized loans. I already have a large student loan debt. I would sincerely appreciate any assistance anyone can find in their hearts to help me further my education, and in doing so, help me with my mission to start and successfully