Ethans Purpose Inc

Ethan’s Purpose is a local non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention while providing support and resources to the community.

Ethan's Purpose was founded in 2018 when our son, Ethan Thomas, lost his life to suicide at age 16. Ethan was adopted, subsequently diagnosed with anxiety, depression and ADHD and was in counseling at the time of his death. We were unaware at that time of how all of these factors played a part in Ethan’s mental health, and were unaware of how we could help him learn strategies to cope with these challenges. We have made it our mission to arm other families, schools and teachers with the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to educate and support those students who may be struggling with the same challenges that Ethan faced.

Through generous donations, grants, and community fundraisers, Ethan’s Purpose is able to provide a wide range of programs and services focused on supporting youth mental health in our community.

Our initiatives include:

• Counseling services for young individuals in need

• QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings to equip the teachers, school administrators and the community with life-saving tools

• Ethan’s Challenge Mental Health Presentations given to students to raise awareness and reduce stigma

• Funding and support for the Hope Squad in 11 Boone County schools

• Scholarship programs to empower youth pursuing a career in the mental health field or a career in the trade industry

• Community educational events focused on mental health and wellness

With the support of our community, we are committed to creating a future where every young person feels seen, supported, and hopeful.

Our foundation provides group and individual counseling at local schools to serve at-risk students identified by counselors who would greatly benefit from counseling but do not have access due to lack of providers and or financial burden. Said students typically suffer from anxiety, depression, grief and social isolation or other traumas. Our foundation has partnered with several licensed therapists to work with the schools and provide small group counseling. Collaborating with four licensed therapists, Ethan's Purpose has provided these services in seven schools reaching over 335 students.

QPR is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program that stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Ethan’s Purpose has provided QPR training in schools and the community, providing attendees with the tools to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior and respond effectively. This training empowers educators to take action and connect students in crisis with the help they need. Over 550 school staff and community members have been trained to date.

Our foundation also offers an educational program for students called Ethan’s Challenge. Presented during school hours, this program focuses on mental wellness and suicide prevention. It helps students recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior and understand how and where to seek help for themselves or their friends. Ethan's Challenge has been presented in 7 schools so far, reaching over 6,100 students.

Ethan’s Purpose proudly presented a check for $100,000 to Boone County Schools to fund the Hope Squad program in all middle and high schools for the next four school years. The Hope Squad is a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that empowers students to recognize and respond to mental health concerns among their peers, fostering a culture of care and belonging. By openly addressing mental health and normalizing conversations around it, Hope Squads help create a supportive environment where students feel safe seeking help and supporting others. Through peer-led initiatives and school-wide events, Hope Squad members encourage positive relationships and promote connectedness, helping students feel valued, supported, and included.

In 2025, Ethan’s Purpose awarded its first two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Conner High School. These students are pursuing careers in the mental health field and the trade industry—the latter being a path Ethan himself likely would have chosen. We are proud to support these students as they take the next step toward making a positive impact in their communities.

Since its inception, Ethan’s Purpose has participated in numerous community educational events, often serving as an organizer, host, and speaker. By funding and coordinating mental health initiatives that bring together community partners and resources, Ethan’s Purpose continues to advance its mission of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and ultimately decreasing the number of suicides in our community.