Photo: CTV

The mother of a teenager, missing since April, is clinging to hope that her daughter is still alive.

Mekayla Bali, 17, disappeared from her hometown of Yorkton, Sask. It was believed at the time that she may have headed to Vancouver.

Her mom, Paula Bali, has now made her second trek to the Lower Mainland, following up on potential sightings. She has now raised enough money to offer a $25,000 reward for information that helps find the teen.

"In my heart I believe she's alive. I don't believe she's safe. My gut tells me we need to look," Paula told CTV News.

Paula was outside Metrotown Mall in Burnaby, where people say they've seen Mekayla.

"We really have no reason why she may be here, and she hasn't expressed an interest to be here, but we're willing to follow up on any bit of information we receive," said Paula.

The worried mother said Mekayla's siblings have also struggled with the disappearance.

"My daughter just had her eighth birthday and she said… 'My greatest birthday present would be for my sister to come home.'"

Police are trying to track down a man with a distinctive forearm tattoo of a fiery cross in connection with the case. Mekayla was last seen at a bus station with him.

She is described as 5-foot-2 and 115 pounds. She has blond hair and blue eyes, and she sometimes wears dark-rimmed glasses.

If you have information, contact Crime Stoppers or go to the Facebook page "Let’s Bring Mekayla Bali Home."

– with files from CTV Vancouver