Elizabeth Smart, the victim of one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time, will deliver the keynote address at the Youth Eastside Services (YES) Invest in Youth annual breakfast on March 13.

Smart will share her story of overcoming the impact of nine months of imprisonment and the constant threat of being killed by her captors. Most importantly, she will give hope for overcoming extreme adversity and how to live triumphantly after tragedy.

“We’re extremely honored to present Ms. Smart in her first major speech in the Northwest,” said Patti Skelton-McGougan, YES executive director. “The spirit with which she publicly acknowledges the private nightmare she suffered at 14 is admirable, and her message of not allowing one’s past to dictate the future is inspirational.

“Although Elizabeth’s abduction was an exceptional experience, her powerful story of recovery from trauma helps us understand the benefits that result from investing in youth to bolster their resilience for whatever challenges come their way and to help them recover from trauma.”

Since becoming an adult, Smart has distinguished herself as a respected advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs and national legislation. She is the founding president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, whose mission is to prevent and stop predatory crimes.

Smart is also a news correspondent on issues involving high-profile missing person cases. She will finish her music studies at Brigham Young University in the spring of 2012.

Visit www.YouthEastsideServices.org for more information.