The Elkhart community is set to mark three years since the tragic death of Rio Allred, this weekend

ELKHART, Ind. -- The second annual ‘Speak Your Truth” rally with Rio’s rainbow and other grassroot organizations are gathering this weekend to advocate for children safety and human rights.

Rio Rainbow is an organization that was created just after Rio Allred, a 12-year-old girl who suffered from Alopecia which is an auto-immune disease that caused her to lose her hair.

March 14th will mark the third year since she took her life from elementary to high school. She carried heavy shoulders from repetitive bullying, her dad Aaron Ball says she will never be forgotten.

“She’s moved mountains in the time that she has been gone because people not only know who she is but also can always find stories that are relatable to what her situation is so we want people to come out now just to celebrate Rio but get involved in our project to try and drive some real change in our community in Elkhart.” said Ball.

This weekend students will be sharing their own stories advocating for school safety and human rights.

The Parent Coalition for Children Safety and Wellness alongside local organizations will honor the three-year mark of Rio’s passing at the Tolson Community Center March 15th from 12-4pm.

Rachel Van Alstine, Parent Coalition for Child Safety and Wellness organizer says since Rio’s death they notice the community is tied to a system that has created a culture of silence and now they are uniting together to break the silence.

“We can speak the truth, and it will be positive, and the truth is positive. We need to lead by example for our children to show them how we can show up for them and with them.” said Alstine.

As of now these organizations are working on legislation to change the start bullying definition

Organizers for the Speak Our Truth Project Rally:
MAD Voters
Parent Coalition for Child Safety & Wellness
Ray of Hope
Rio's Rainbow
South Side Inc.
The City Remnant
Tolson Center

Organizers say the bill is currently pending hearing at the senate and organizers say they plan to know more by the end of the legislative session.

“This is not an anti-school approach in any way, this is about recognizing where there are gaps in child safety and coming together as a community to bridge those gaps. said Alstine