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Ashley Spence had just begun her sophomore year of college when the unthinkable happened. She was the victim of a home invasion. Fortunately, Ashley survived and over the years rebuilt her life. One day she received a phone call. The voice on the other end of the line said, "Ashley, we got a match. We know who your attacker is." Ashley faced her attacker in court and her testimony helped put the creep away for almost 138 years. The DNA Justice Project is committed to the education of policy makers and the public on the importance of Forensic DNA and DNA technology in the criminal justice system. Ashley has helped legislators craft legislation which will aid law enforcement while helping victims of violent crimes get justice. Through her dedication, Texas passed a law in 2023 similar to the law California had that caught her attacker and eventually led to his incarceration.

Rachel's Challenge was born as a direct result of a tragedy, the Columbine High School massacre. Rachel Scott was the first person killed that day. She left her family six journals filled with profound writings and predictions. Her journals became the foundation for Rachel's Challenge, an organization that is creating safer, better-connected schools through a story, Rachel's story. So far nine "Columbine copycats" have been averted because a student heard the story and decided to not go through with his plan, or another student knew of the plot and turned in the potential shooter. Further, the organization receives over 150 messages from students who planned to end their lives but decided not to after hearing Rachel's story. In our time together, you will meet Rachel through the eyes of her father, you will hear some of her prophetic journal entries, and you will learn about starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.