Elizabeth Smart To Visit Lafayette

Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart will share her story with Lafayette residents May 2 in a program offered by Hearts of Hope, an advocacy and counseling center for children and sexual assault victims.

Smart was 14 years old when she was abducted in 2002 from her Salt Lake City home. She endured various abuses until she was discovered in March 2003 and reunited with her family.

Jill Dugas, executive director of the organization, tells The Advocate she hopes Smart's discussion will be inspirational.

The discussion is planned for 6:30 p.m. on May 2 at Our Savior's Church in Lafayette.

It is a fundraiser with proceeds benefiting Hearts of Hope's three programs — the Children's Advocacy Center, the Sexual Abuse Response Center and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.