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When Jim and Kelly Jolkowski's son Jason went missing in June 2001, they didn't know where to turn.
They had no idea how to cope, and there were no support groups to help them deal with what they were going through.
It wasn't until the couple began doing research online that they learned about a variety of training techniques to deal with their daily trauma.
The Jolkowskis wanted to share that with other families, so they created Project Jason to improve public awareness about missing people and to educate families about what to do if a family member disappears.
This past June, they held the first Project Jason's Keys to Healing retreat. About 20 families from all over the country spent three days at a retreat center in the Omaha area, learning how to cope with having a family member go missing.
The Jolkowskis are raising money for the 2010 retreat, in which they hope to help at least 50 families.
They hope to receive enough donations so the families won't have to spend a dime to participate.
“Many people don't realize how much money people spend for a search, especially if there's a reward, a private eye and numerous posters,” Kelly Jolkowski said. “It's really tough for these families. It's physically, mentally and financially draining.”
The 2010 retreat will be held in August. For three days, families of the missing are enveloped in mental, physical and spiritual guidance, massage therapy and peaceful and quiet surroundings.
They meet others who understand their plight, and they forge bonds that will help them with support long after the retreat ends.
“For some of these people, their whole life is the search,” she said. “We want to show them there's a way to still have a personal life while coping. We want to show them it's OK to laugh and smile. We have to learn to live with our daily trauma for the rest of our lives.”
The fundraising campaign, which started last week, runs until Dec. 31.
To make a donation go to www.projectjason.org/leftBehind or send a check or money order to: Project Jason, P.O. Box 3035, Omaha, NE 68103.
Contact the writer:
444-1336, leia.baez@owh.com
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