CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte mother is working to help teens explore alternative options after graduation.
For many, the sound of a school bell at the end of the day represents freedom, but for some seniors like Makayla Bluefort, the chime represents an aching reminder that time is running out.
"I was depressed," Makayla said. "A lot of people would panic heading into their senior year because they didn’t know what was next."
Makayla said the stress took a big toll on her mental health. The only two options were college or military, and she showed no interest in either.
Her mom, Layla Bluefort, said after seeing the stress and panic take a toll on her daughter, she started finding other options in the area.
"It's disheartening because they don’t know that they don’t have to go to college, but there are so many different opportunities.," Layla said.
After helping her daughter find another route to success, Layla said she felt inspired to do the same for other kids who struggle to see the bigger picture.
Her goal is to help kids in low-income communities who feel isolated get connected to the right opportunities.
This expo is called "Mom I don’t want to go to college."
Layla said the goal is to also a way to stop the school-to-prison pipeline. She's working to not only reach kids but also expose their parents to new opportunities, increasing economic mobility while decreasing juvenile crime.
"I want them to feel hope again," said Layla.
If you are interested in learning more about other options there will be an expo happening this weekend.
The event is on Saturday, May 18 at the Sugar Creek Recreational Center.
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