Light the Way

Welcome

Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project is a victim-centered volunteer organization dedicated to reuniting missing persons with their loved ones, fostering positive relationships between families and law enforcement and advocating tirelessly for victims of unresolved cases, missing individuals and their families.

At Light The Way we believe in treating missing persons, their families, and loved ones with empathy and compassion and we understand that every person deserves to be found.

We have the right to choose which cases are accepted and what services are needed at our own discretion.

The Gabby Petito Foundation & Light The Way Partnership

THE GABBY PETITO FOUNDATION AND LIGHT THE WAY MISSING PERSONS ADVOCACY PROJECT ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP IN AN EFFORT TO EXPAND CRITICAL VICTIM-CENTERED RESOURCES

FEBRUARY 2, 2025- The Gabby Petito Foundation and Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project announced today the strategic partnership that will empower families of missing persons with critical resources.

With a shared goal, the alliance will be to increase national missing-persons services, while bridging the unwavering commitment in prioritizing a victim-centered advocacy approach. Both organizations will work in lockstep, remaining selflessly dedicated to driving awareness for missing individuals in an effort to bring them home safely, while also advocating and offering essential services to their families and loved ones.

With the announcement, The Gabby Petito Foundation and Light the Way will scale their team to provide further resources, advocacy and education for both the victims and their families. In addition to leading with empathy, executing awareness campaigns, and working in tandem with local and national law enforcement, the services will expand by building a national support network, expanding specialized services & advocacy, and will champion for education & policy change.

“It is essential that we increase our support functions," said Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s mother and co-founder of The Gabby Petito Foundation. “Our extremely-trusted partnership with Light the Way is coming at a pivotal moment in our shared efforts and will support the greater good of families who have lost loved ones.”

The Gabby Petito Foundation, created by the family of Gabby Petito who lost her life to domestic violence in 2021, provides support to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence and their families through education, awareness and prevention. The foundation continues to identify and align with survivor-centered partners, such as Light the Way, making an immediate, tangible difference to victims of violence, missing persons, and their families.

“We are so grateful to be partnering with The Gabby Petito Foundation," said Shayna Richard, founder of Light the Way, and newly appointed Board Member for The Gabby Petito Foundation. “Our dedication and collaboration, together, will bring further awareness to those who are the most vulnerable, providing them with the accessibility to resources and help in an action to advocate for their missing loved one.”

Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project began in 2021 as a passion project by Shayna, who was looking to make a change in the missing persons community. By 2022, it evolved into a victim-centered volunteer organization dedicated to reuniting missing persons with their loved ones, fostering positive relationships between families and law enforcement and advocating tirelessly for victims of unresolved cases, missing individuals and their families.

"Having the support of Light The Way has been nothing short of a lifeline for my family. When my sister Maura Murray disappeared in 2004, my family was left grappling with uncertainty, fear and heartbreak,” said Julie Murray, Sister of Missing Woman Maura Murray. “ Light The Way stepped into our lives and brought hope to an otherwise dark and overwhelming situation, amplifying our voices, equipping us with essential tools, and ensuring that my sister’s story is never forgotten. This support is a source of strength we carry with us every single day.”

To learn more about the Gabby Petito Foundation and the lasting impact of Gabby’s legacy, click here.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

For over two years, Light The Way has led a weekly phone call and email campaign urging the Governor of Washington state to order an independent review of Oakley Carlson’s case with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (WA DCYF).

In response,the Governor stated that the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) found DCYF’s actions to be in accordance with policies and laws, expressing confidence in their findings. However, concerns remain regarding the lack of transparency in OFCO’s review—particularly issues raised by Oakley’s foster parents and WA DCYF’s repeated disregard of multiple warnings about Oakley’s safety.

The facts are clear: WA DCYF failed Oakley. We have launched a petition urging the Governor of Washington to order an independent review. Please help by signing and sharing the petition today.

Thank you for being a voice for Oakley and for children failed by the systems meant to protect them! Click here to sign and share!

Call to Action

Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers has been missing since January 7, 1981, from Hayfield Township, Pennsylvania. She is profoundly deaf and, as a result, cannot speak fluently. Lonnie communicates primarily through lip reading and American Sign Language.

According to her husband, Clinton "Bud" Rogers, Lonnie left after an argument. However, her belongings—including her purse, hearing aids, medication, glasses, car keys, and Mustang—were left behind, along with her two small children whom she loved more than life itself. Bud did not report Lonnie missing; her parents did, after noticing his unusual behavior just hours after she vanished.

In the years following Lonnie’s disappearance, her children faced instability, moving between temporary homes. In 1989, Bud abandoned their daughter, Alison, at a police station, leading to her being raised by a guidance counselor’s family.

In January 2022, Alison published A Daughter’s Journey...and Story of Resilience, detailing Lonnie's life, her disappearance, and Alison’s belief that her father may have been involved. The book highlights her relentless pursuit of justice despite law enforcement’s limited cooperation.

For over four decades, Alison has tirelessly advocated for her mother, yet her repeated requests for access to Lonnie’s case files have been denied. While authorities claim the case remains active, Alison has received few updates and has seen little progress. Frustrated by the ongoing lack of transparency, she recently launched a petition for “Lonnie’s Law”, a proposal that would grant families access to missing persons case files if the case remains unsolved for more than 20 years.

Alison’s unwavering efforts honor her mother’s memory and inspire others seeking justice for their loved ones.

Please sign and share the petition by clicking here.

Engage With Empathy Campaign

Light The Way proudly supports and encourages Julie Murray's Engage With Empathy Campaign. The Engage With Empathy Campaign unites survivors of true crime, supporters, and content creators as they make the difficult journey for those struggling with loss a little more bearable.

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES:

To offer support and solace to those struggling with loss and trauma.
To educate content creators on the lasting effects their content has on those who have the most at stake in the stories they cover.
To educate the public on how to identify responsible and ethical true crime content.
To engage the true crime community on issues important to victims and families left behind in the wake of these tragedies.

Learn More Here - Engage With Empathy Campaign (mauramurraymissing.org)

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