Celebrate Fairfax

Picture of a large group of participants preparing to go at the starting line of the Connor Strong 5k

You Are Not Alone 5k Fun Run

Franconia District

In Partnership
Impact
Photo Gallery
CF Builds Community with exclamation mark from logo and colored bracket on either side.
Magisterial map of Fairfax County with map market over the location of the You Are Not Alone 5k.

You are Not 5K Fun Run Overview

The You Are Not Alone 5K Fun Run successfully united the community in a powerful display of support for mental wellness and suicide prevention. In collaboration with the ConnerStrong Foundation and the Franconia District Supervisor’s office, the event drew over 250 participants spanning all age groups. Held during National Suicide Month, the occasion featured a resource fair, an race award ceremony, and a focus on community outreach. Addressing a critical need influencing mental health, the event prioritized the provision of food and clothing. Koinonia and United Community, two local non-profit organizations in Fairfax County dedicated to food pantry services, benefited with a generous donation of 500 pounds of food. The You Are Not Alone 5K Fun Run proved to be a resounding success, fostering a sense of unity and actively supporting mental health within the community.

Close up of 2 volunteers posing with cups of water
Picture of a family holding up signs reading '#startlistening' and '#don'tendyourstory'
Picture of a group of women crossing the finish line at the Connor Strong 5k
Picture of a man speaking to the participants before the starrt fo the Connor Strong 5k
Picture of a participant speaking before the other participants before the start of the Connor Strong 5k
Picture of a young boy being interviewed by local news
CF Works in Partnership! graphic
Closeup of a participant speaking before the other participants before the start of the Connor Strong 5k
Close up of the 2 exhibitors at the table for our minds matter
Picture of a man listening to a woman from an exhibitors table
Close up of the 2 exhibitors at the table for The fairfax community services board
Close up of the 2 exhibitors at the table for Koinonia
Close up of the woman at the table for American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

Thank You Participants

Thank you to the following local agencies, organizations, and businesses who worked in partnership with us who made this event a success. The opportunity to create awareness, build relationships, educate, inform, and have FUN at this interactive community event will have a lasting impact. Click on the groups below to learn more about their work and to access their resources and services.

Co-Hosts

ConnerStrong Foundation

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Franconia District

Fairfax County Agencies

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

Department of Family Services

Fairfax County Public Schools

Nonprofit Organizations

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

CJ3 Foundation

Hope for Grieving Families

Koinonia

NAMI Northern Virginia National Alliance on Mental Illness

Our Minds Matter

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

United Community

Higher Education

George Mason University – Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Sponsors

Boston Properties

Federal Reality

Halle Companies

Randi Dolphin Real Estate

CF Delivers Impact with exclamation mark from logo.
Close up of 2 women high-fiving on the course of the Connor Strong 5k
People loading donated food items into a truck as part of food drive.
Closeup of a group posing before the start of the Connor Strong 5k
You Are Not Alone 5k participants at the FCPS exhibitor booth
Picture of a group at an exhibitors table
Picture of a woman and child reading brochures from an exhibitor table

Impact Outcome Areas

Our work strives to support the 10 Community Outcome Areas included in the Fairfax County Strategic Plan (learn how here!). This event links to the Community Outcome Areas in three main ways:

  • Culture & Recreation

    This recreational event saw over 250 participants walk, run, volunteer, or exhibit.

  • Residents Facing Vulnerability

    A food drive was held in conjunction with the event, resulting in over 250 lbs of food for local nonprofits United Community and Koinonia.

    Additionally, proceeds from race went to organizations who work with vulnerable populations.

    Our work for this event enabled higher profits by off-setting costs and increased sales through marketing efforts.

  • Healthy Communities

    Building a healthy community with mental wellness at the forefront was the focus of this event. Co-host ConnerStrong Foundation works to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention and to change the discussion about mental health.

    Race participants had the opportunity to meet 12 additional local agencies and nonprofits to provide services around mental wellness to our community.

    Resources around mental wellness were provided as part of the event marketing, and you can learn more about this topic by clicking on the organizations above.

Photo Gallery

Click any photo to view full size. Please credit Celebrate Fairfax when using on social media, website, or any other print or digital materials.

Next Event in Showcase