Local Organization Honors A 16-Year-Old's Legacy By Giving Back To The Community

Metro nonprofit and family of lost daughter accepts donations to fund new kitchen for unhoused teens.

16-year-old Grace Roark tragically died 6 years ago in a car accident.

“When she passed away, we heard all kinds of stories. We heard ‘Grace used to buy my student lunch when she couldn’t afford it. Grace took me to get groceries on her lunch break," said Mother Betsy Roark. 

After Grace’s passing in 2017, her parents began volunteering at Sisu Youth Services to keep her servant’s heart alive. 

Now the metro nonprofit aimed at helping unhoused youth is honoring Grace in a very special way by naming its brand new kitchen after her. 

Sisu Development Director Aaron Wilder said “As we lay the foundation for Sisu into the future we wanted to make sure the Roark family are at the center of that.  

Both Sisu and the Roark Family need help to build and fill Grace’s kitchen. 

“We are going to use this money to construct this facility and make sure this kitchen is equipped with everything it needs,” said Wilder. 

Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of this year and Sisu Youth Services will open the doors of its new facility by early next year. 

“It’s hard to fathom that our child is going to be remembered and that her work is going to be passed on through other people,” said Betsy Roark. 

You can donate to the Sisu Youth Service by clicking here.