As you consider ways to support our 5k, remember there are so many ways we can show others that we care. Motivational speaker Josh Ship once said that “Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” Today we ask: “Are you the one?”

Below are some additional ways you can support the Focus on Youth mission.

Participate in the 5k

Register by clicking HERE and choose the registration level that best suits you. This signs you up to be part of the Focus on Youth 5K.

Donate / Sponsor other runners

We have multiple levels of sponsorship available. CLICK HERE to visit the Donation and Sponsorship Page.

Volunteer

Print and Post Flyers for the 5k

Download our flyer HERE so you can print and post it wherever you can to boost our visibility!

Raise funds

Facebook has made fundraising easy! Here’s how to set up your fundraiser on your Facebook page.

    1. Click Fundraisers in the left menu of your News Feed. (You may have to click See More to find Fundraisers.)
    2. Click Raise Money on the left side.
    3. Select Nonprofit or Charity.
    4. Select Focus on Youth as your nonprofit, choose a cover photo and fill in the fundraiser details.
    5. Click Create. 

Take photos and share your experience

Make sure to share on your social media accounts how much fun you have at the event! Use our hashtags:

#LetsCareTogether

#ChildAbusePrevention2025

#YouBelongHere

#FocusonYouth

#SupportFosterCare 

#Support Adoption

Wear Blue on April 9, 2025

  • Join other Ohioans by wearing blue on Wednesday, April 9th.
  • Stop by Focus on Youth and take pictures of the Pinwheel Garden and share them on your social media. (Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags!)
  • Consider creating your own Pinwheel Garden with your family in your front yard, near your mailbox, or on your front porch.
  • Watch television with your children. Discuss issues such as violence and fantasy versus reality.
  • Create “safe houses” in your neighborhood where children can go in case of emergency.
  • Encourage child abuse prevention activities through local schools, youth groups, scouting programs, and other community groups/programs.

Share Facts & Resources to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect on Social Media

National Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • 1 in 4 children are abused or neglected at some point in their lives.
  • In 2016, 676,000 children were in child protective services because of abuse or neglect.
  • In 2016, 1,750 children died because of abuse or neglect.
  • The estimated average lifetime cost for child welfare, medical costs, criminal justice, special education, and lost productivity for victims of child abuse and neglect is $830,928 (in 2015 dollars).
  • Overall lifetime economic burden to the United States based on 2015 substantiated incident cases resulting from child abuse and neglect was approximately $428 billion — more than stroke or Type 2 diabetes.

Consequences of Child Abuse & Neglect
Abuse and neglect can cause damage to children’s physical, mental, and social development that affects the rest of their lives. According to research known as the ACE study, when a child has one or more adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect, the effects can include:

  • Impacts on brain development that affects long-term functions.
  • Higher risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, liver disease, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, high cholesterol.
  • Higher risk for mental health diagnoses.
  • Higher risk for learning disorders.
  • Higher risk for smoking, alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Higher risk of teen pregnancy.
  • Higher risk of juvenile delinquency and adult criminal behavior.

CLICK HERE to return to the 5K Home Page.