| Name of Non-Profit Organization * |
Ethan’s Purpose Foundation
|
|---|---|
| Today’s Date: * | Sunday, September 21, 2025 |
| Organization’s website | http://www.ethanspurpose.org |
| EIN / 501(C)(3)Number * |
83-2607739
|
| What year did your organization receive it’s non-profit status? * |
2018
|
| Address * | 
1787 Coachtrail RoadHebron, KY 41048 United States |
| County * |
KY
|
| Point of Contact for Magnified Giving Youth * | Patty Keller |
| Point of Contact’s Title * |
Administrative Specialist
|
| Point of Contact’s Email Address * | patty@ethanspurpose.org |
| Point of Contact’s Phone Number | (859) 801-1108 |
| Executive Director’s Name * |
Debbie Zegarra
|
| What is the mission of your organization? | |
| Ethan’s Purpose is a local non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of good mental health and suicide prevention. It 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.
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. QPR is a nationally recognized suicide prevention program and stands for Question, Persuade and Refer – the 3 steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. We present this program at the school to teachers staff to teach them to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior and how to obtain help for a student in crisis. Most recently, On May 8th, 2025, Board Members from Ethan’s Purpose presented a check for $105,300 to the Boone County Schools to fund The Hope Squad 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 about it, Hope Squads create a culture of support and understanding and enable early intervention & connection with help, potentially preventing a crisis from escalating. Through peer-led school events, the Hope Squad encourages positive student relationships so that students feel valued, supported & connected. We are thrilled to provide this program in Boone County schools and look forward to assisting in its implementation during this school year. |
|
| Which social causes (up to 3 choices) does your agency address through its programming? * |
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| Any comments about your selections you would like to share with the student philanthropists? | |
| According to the CDC and the most current confirmed statistics, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, and it is reported that 13% of 10th graders experience suicidal ideation at least one time. The reality is that suicide is preventable and the more we promote/teach awareness and prevention and implement learned strategies in our schools, the better parents and teachers can be prepared to help students and families. Ethan’s purpose is dedicated to help students by bringing more awareness to the importance of good mental health and suicide prevention. The following stats reflect the impact our programs and services have had to date: -520 teachers, faculty and community members trained in QPR, a nationally recognized suicide awareness and prevention program. -Over 335 students in 7 schools received group/individual counseling by 4 EP therapists -6,113 students in 7 local schools have attended our student mental awareness and suicide prevention program, Ethan’s Challenge. |
|
| Does your organization have volunteer opportunities available for students? * |
Yes, Grades 9 – 12
|
| List possible volunteer opportunities -or- a link to where they can be found on the web. |
Every September we host a 5K Race to raise proceeds to fund the services we provide. Our race keeps growing every year and we can always use volunteers at this event.
|
| Volunteer coordinator | Patty Keller |
| Volunteer coordinator’s email address | patty@ethanspurpose.org |
| Volunteer coordinator’s phone number | (858) 801-1108 |
| Student Connection Preference (click all that apply): * |
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