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I met Kelly Jolkowski through the Project Jason website approximately a year ago as my nephew, Ben Roseland disappeared from Clinton, Iowa at the age of nineteen on February 9th, 2008. Kelly has helped guide me through so many different facets of having a missing loved one. One of our first conversations she stayed up very late to help me submit Ben's story in the trucking magazine Truck Job Seekers with the wonderful "18 Wheel Angels"featuring Ben's story. Kelly's organization has also assisted me in many different steps of organizing fund raisers, public awareness, and SAR procedures. I am SURE I am leaving out many other things this great organizations has assisted my family in, those were just to name a few. I would advise anyone who has a missing loved one to contact Project Jason as it has been a Godsend to me and Kelly, it's leading angel. Thanks so much for your time. Very Sincerely, Julie Connell, Aunt to Benjamin Malvin Roseland

In February 2004, my daughter Elsha M. Rivera, missing from Fort Worth Texas, became another victim and one of the thousands who go missing every year in America. Do you realize that every 30 seconds a person goes missing? If you do the math that's 120 per hour alone! WOW…..we never really see the numbers nor do we ever pay attention unless its one of our own. I myself am guilty of never taking the time too see how we are so victimized in this country that we call the " Land of The Free ". But are we? Elsha had 4 children ranging from age 8 months to 9 years when she also became a victim of the missing. The years have passed and the now the children are 6, 9, 10, and 14, and they can't figure out why no one has brought their mother home. As Elsha's mother, I have spent the last 5 years with severe depression, feelings of guilt, endless and long stretches of not sleeping, and even suffering from Alopecia, hair loss caused by stress. You see when you have a missing child, spouse, or loved one of any kind and you have no answers, you feel helpless and all alone. At least I did! I took myself away from the entire world and I buried myself in a world where no one could touch or reach me, not even myself, for I became my own worst enemy. I hated everyone, I hated the person(s) responsible for taking my little girl away from me and her children, and I hated the police department for not doing enough. I thought my little girl was the only missing person out there. But most of all, I hated myself each and everyday because I wasn't capable of searching for her financially or mentally. When Project Jason found me I think I don't even remember. I slowly corresponded with them. Kelly Jolkowski emailed me from time to time and she consoled me. She spoke of her own missing child, so then I knew of her pain and heartache, but most of all I knew she understood. So, when one day Kelly emailed me about the 1st annual retreat for the families of missing persons being held in Nebraska ! I wasn't able to afford to attend since I was out of work and raising 4 children, plus, I was not even sure if my car would make it! I also wondered what I would do with the children since I didn’t have anyone here in Missouri to care for them if I did go. I spoke to the children about it and they told me I should go. Miraculously, a sponsor came forward for me, and care for the children, and all I had to do was get there. Once again, I spoke to the children and they said “Mom, you need to go.” I was even more afraid the day I left for the long drive as I made several excuses as to why I shouldn't go. You see, I didn't know what to expect…..but I was so glad I did because the Keys to Healing Retreat was like being on a cloud for me. It was like the weight of the earth had just been lifted off my shoulders. I saw others there just like me, others who had been through the same pain, the same loss and the same fears. Other people who knew what to say and how to say it without being afraid to say all the wrong things to those who hadn't felt the loss and pain of a missing loved one. When you loose a loved one by death, you have one sense of pain, but you also have closure. I knew that feeling since I had other children killed, and I met that fear and I was able to lay it to rest, but this was different in a way I could never truly explain. The conversations, the people, and the gift of what each and everyone of us had to share was like I had awoken from a very long sleep. I felt alive and I could pinch myself and feel it. I even looked in the mirror for the first time in a very longtime and what I saw was a person who wanted to live. I felt rebirth, a second chance to come back to life after attending the retreat. I can now communicate with the children, where before I only existed with them we can sit down and eat meals together before I fed them and then locked myself away in my room. We can even pray together when before I was angry at my heavenly Father for allowing me to feel pain and loss, helplessness and guilt. It's been 5 years, soon to be 6 in February 2010, but one day I will find my Elsha, and I honestly believe this in my heart, soul and mind! So I ask if you read this, please help, and look deep into your heart and soul, but remember that this too could happen to you or someone you know and love. Elizabeth Rivera, mother of Elsha M. Rivera, Missing Since 2004 From Fort Worth Texas

I was the Mother of an Endangered Missing Son who had been missing for many years. I had begun to lose hope until one night I discovered Project Jason on the Internet. I sent Project Jason an e-mail and within 30 minutes, the Founder contacted me. After suffering emotionally alone for many years, I had now discovered there was reason to have hope. With the Founder's advice, strong support and creativity, the wheels were set in motion to find my son. Project Jason worked proactively and I learned to be proactive as a result. A family found my missing son and saw his Poster on Project Jason. I was then contacted with the golden news. On Mother's Day 2009, after 12 years, my son was returned home to me. I am now the Mother of a Found Son because of Project Jason.

Project Jason has helped me and my family through one of the worst times in our lives. Thanks to Kelly Jowlkoski & Duane Bowers I have found the strength to keep on with my own life. My grandfather, Floyd Price went missing over 5 years ago from Diamondhead, Mississippi.

This organization was a Godsend to me during a time of crisis when my brother, John Spira, went missing. I found support, advice, assistance and caring from people who know what it's like to experience such a life altering event. Kelly and others involved in Project Jason were able to assist me with public dissemintion of my brother's story in a variety of unique and creative ways and the organization continues to be for me a resource and a huge source of continued support and ideas. Kelly and those involved in this non profit, helped a horrible situation to be just a little easier and I'm so grateful for all they do for families with missing loved ones. Stephanie McNeil