Downers Grove resident launches 5K run/walk to raise support for free mental health counseling

A new community event is bringing movement and meaning together. Gretchen Oschman Lewis, a Downers Grove native and co-founder of Light of Hope Wellness and Consultation, is organizing the inaugural Hope Starts Here 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, Aug. 16.

The event will raise funds to support 100 free mental health counseling sessions through Light of Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing mental health awareness, preventing suicide, and offering affordable therapy for individuals facing life’s most difficult challenges. The free sessions will be made available through an application process on the organization’s website, launching on GivingTuesday in November.

This initiative is supported by a matching grant from the DuPage Foundation’s Community Impact grant program, amplifying the event’s impact in the local community.

“We want to help those who need it the most,” said Lewis, a licensed clinical professional counselor who returned to school after a successful career in sports media to pursue her passion for helping others. “This 5K is a powerful way to bring people together around that mission.”

The event also will feature community booths and resources, raising awareness about mental health services and local support organizations. It will begin at 8 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, 4832 Highland Ave. in Downers Grove. Registration is $25.

To learn more, donate, or register, visit www.LightOfHopeWCInc.org or Hope Starts Here 5K Run and Walk at runsignup.com/Race/1/DownersGrove/LightofHopeHopeStartsHere5K.