What Are We Fighting For
Go Light Our World (GLOW) fights for youth facing disparities causing mental health struggles. Get involved
The GLOW Project is fighting to advocate for our youth who suffer from disparities that lead to mental health issues. Mental health issues encompass a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADD, OCD, anger, PTSD, addictive behaviors, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and more. Our goal is to provide resources that bridge the gap between the realities our youth face and the support they need to achieve overall financial, social, physical, and mental well-being. We aim to promote positive self-identity, resilience, and awareness of mental health, while working to erase stigmas surrounding these issues. Ultimately, our hope is to empower our young adults and help liberate them from the threat of gun violence.
GLOW Peace Garden Ribbon Cutting at Cross Keys Park
The GLOW Project would like to thank everyone in the community who attended the Peace Garden Ribbon Cutting at Cross Keys Park in Lexington, KY. The forecast was questionable with likely rain but the day turned out gorgeous, with the rain coming in as the ceremony closed. It was so wonderful to see people from every walk of life attending. We even had friends from as far as the Twin Cities in Minnesota join us!
We want to extend our thanks to each person who donated long work days, money, prayers and snacks to make this beautiful day such a success. If anyone would still like to purchase a brick in honor of a loved one, please follow the link below and include what you would like engraved on your brick. Enjoy the news article and pictures!
LEX News: Lexington Peace Garden opens in memory of Elaina Mammen
Choose a memorial brick and add engraving Read the recap and view all seven photos
Our STORY
Elaina Quinn Mammen tragically lost her life to gun violence early Saturday morning December 10, 2022. She was only 19 years old, just shy of her 20th birthday coming up January 5th. Elaina had a contagious smile, lighting even the darkest room. Her heart was full of endless love, always giving freely to anyone in need. A few examples include offering advice on her social media videos, making and giving a lunch to her favorite teach (knowing she wouldn’t have time to grade papers and get to the cafeteria), and cooking and feeding those in need at the local homeless shelter.
She loved squishmallow shopping and collecting, bubble tea, consignment shopping for the best fashions, Starbucks, fishing, her dog Shooge, her many friends and family, driving her car Memphis, jet skiing, roller skating, and the simple acts of laughter and goofing around.
Her unforeseen and senseless tragedy prompted the Go Light Our World (GLOW) Project, created by her mom and aunt. GLOW honors her by celebrating her compassion and strength. This Initiative also seeks to remember all lives lost to gun violence while providing support, love, and hope to young adults in Kentucky and all those affected by gun violence.
Our Mission
We empower youth by promoting self-esteem, mental health awareness, boundary-setting, and gun violence prevention. We honor victims, support grieving families, and provide academic and athletic resources to foster growth and resilience.
Normalize Mental Health
Remove the stigma surrounding mental health by emphasizing that it’s okay not to be okay. Encourage vulnerability by promoting open conversations about mental health struggles and seeking help, highlighting it as a courageous and positive step forward.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Teach kids the importance of setting clear boundaries by standing firm in their decisions. Reinforce the idea that boundaries protect against harm, especially when faced with unsafe behaviors or influences that may lead to negative consequences.
End Gun Violence
Work tirelessly to reduce gun violence among youth and young adults through advocacy, education, and community action. Promote awareness and implement strategies to create safer environments where young people can thrive without fear of violence.
Honor Victims of Gun Violence
Pay tribute to the victims of gun violence in our local community by remembering their lives and sharing their stories. Build awareness and cultivate change to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Empower Through Academic and Athletic Collaboration
Provide local youth and young adults with opportunities to excel by supporting academic and athletic initiatives. Access to these resources cultivates personal growth, builds skills, and helps shape their futures in a positive direction.
Support Grieving Families
Offer guidance, counseling, and resources to families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Create a compassionate space for healing, helping families navigate their grief while honoring the memory of those they’ve lost.
Resource Photo Highlights
Images connected to the support categories featured throughout the GLOW resource section.
Christianity, Church Groups, and Counseling Video
GLOW Projects And Activities
Shoot Some Hoops
Jock Sutherland left an imprint in so many ways throughout his life. Although he passed away in November of 2023 at the age of 95, his legacy lives on. Besides being a U.S. Veteran, he coached various basketball teams in the Bluegrass State for many years. The yearly tournament created in his honor helps support players with equipment, trips, uniforms, food, raffles, and coach gift baskets through GLOW and its sponsors.
6th Annual GLOW Chili Feed
Join us on October 24, 2026 for the 6th Annual GLOW Chili Feed. Bring your favorite chili or topping! We will have a large bonfire and light sky lanterns as well as a gratitude joy jar and prayer request jar. See the Facebook event for more information.
Start with the support that fits this moment
You do not have to solve everything at once. Choose the place that feels most useful today.
Immediate and crisis support
Find 988 guidance, Kentucky crisis resources, and clear directions for emergency situations.
Grief and trauma-informed support
Read gentle, practical guidance for supporting teens, young adults, friends, and families after a painful loss.
Youth mental wellness
Find trustworthy starting points for ongoing support, treatment directories, healthy routines, and conversations about mental wellness.
Stories, encouragement, and faith
Visit the GLOW Motivational Collection for hopeful words, music, prayer, and community encouragement. These materials can offer comfort, but they are not a substitute for professional care.
Ways to help
Learn about GLOW projects, kindness in Elaina’s memory, volunteering, sharing, and responsible ways to support current work.
Resources Supporting Mental Wellness
Explore Resources by Category
Start with the area that feels most helpful right now, then browse the resource links below for deeper support.
- Websites and crisis support
- Exercise, outdoor activities, and stress relief (Gallery)
- Questions about treatment options (Videos)
- Christianity, church groups, and counseling (Gallery)
- Medication and mental health support (Gallery)
- Music (Gallery)
- Quality time with family and friends (Gallery)
- Pets (Gallery)
- School activities (Gallery)
- Travel adventures (Gallery)
- Hobbies (Gallery)
Websites and Crisis Support
If you’re in crisis, get immediate help: Call or text 988, chat with trained counselors 24/7, or get help in other ways through the Lifeline
Trevor Project: Suicide prevention and crisis intervention resources for LGBTQ+ young people
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Resource Center (JED Foundation): Information about common emotional health issues and how to overcome challenges
Mental Health Medications | NAMI: Information about psychiatric medications, side effects, and questions to discuss with a provider.
Mental health resources | UK Healthcare – this website offers many resources for Kentucky Teens who struggle with mental health. The website is easy to navigate and information is confidentialA Guide for Parents: Understanding Youth Mental Health and Preventing Unauthorized Access to Firearms (Project Child Safe website)
Stress Relief and Anxiety Support
How Right Now (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Resources for coping with negative emotions and stress, talking to loved ones, and finding inspiration.
One Mind PsyberGuide: A guide to navigating mental health apps and digital technologies
Addiction Recovery Support
findtreatment.gov – a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories, OR connect with SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U)
Eating Disorder Support
More reviewed resources are available in the GLOW Resources & Updates hub.
Family and Home Safety Support
Mental Health for Immigrants (Informed Immigrant): Tips for managing the mental health of yourself and others
AAKOMA Mental Health Resources (The AAKOMA Project): Resources to support the mental health of youth of color and their caregivers
School Safety Support
Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) School Shooting Safety Compendium (Center for Homeland Defense and Security website)
Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships (CDC website)
Bullying Support
More reviewed resources are available in the GLOW Resources & Updates hub.
More Support Options
Youth Engaged 4 Change: Opportunities for youth to make a difference in their lives and in the world around them.
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth (National Academies of Medicine): Tools for children, teens, and parents to learn how to cope with challenges.
Youth Wellbeing Initiatives (National Council for Mental Wellbeing): Collection of initiatives to improve mental wellbeing in youth and young adults.
Kids, Teens, and Young Adults (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Resources for young people to get mental health support.
A Guide for Parents: Understanding Youth Mental Health and Preventing Unauthorized Access to Firearms (Project Child Safe website).
Be SMART for Kids (Be SMART website)
Firearm injury prevention among children and teens (University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention website)
Gun Violence Archive (Gun Violence website)
Continuum of Care for Communities infographic Gun Violence in the United States 2022-article outlining gun violence with statistics regarding age, race, etc.
How can you spread the light?
Volunteer, donate, share, or pray with us.
Donate with Venmo
If you prefer, you can support GLOW through this separate Venmo option.
How can we help you?
What are you struggling with? Please feel free to reach us in whatever way feels easiest.
- Call: (859) 420-5653
- Email: Lovelikeelaina@gmail.com
- Contact page: Contact Us
- Facebook: GLOW Project Facebook
- Instagram: @_glowproject_