Color for a Cause 5K brings Knox County together for youth awareness

A vibrant wave of energy, color, and community spirit swept through Ariel Foundation Park on Saturday as 222 participants came together for the annual Color for a Cause 5K, 1M Walk, and Kids Fun Run. This highly anticipated fundraising event that continues to grow in impact each year, was hosted by the Teen Advisory Council of Knox County in partnership with New Directions, the county’s trusted center for prevention, advocacy, and healing.

The Color for a Cause event featured a colorful 5K run, a one-mile walk, and a lively kids’ run. Each segment was designed not only to promote physical activity but also to highlight important issues impacting Knox County youth. Planned and executed entirely by student members of TAC, the event aimed at promoting wellness, preventing dating violence, and increasing awareness about the risks associated with drug and alcohol misuse. The funds raised from the event support ongoing prevention programming in the community that focuses on building healthy relationships, teaching coping skills, and educating young people about substance misuse.

The Teen Advisory Council is made up of approximately 55 to 60 students from six Knox County high schools, including the Knox County Career Center. These student leaders take full ownership of the event each year — from conceptualizing ideas and planning logistics to marketing and managing the event on the day itself. Co-advisors Callie Pillow and Julia Rine provide mentorship and support, helping students develop leadership skills while empowering them to become advocates for their peers.

“We are the youth portion of New Directions,” explained Ella Kennedy, a dedicated TAC member. “They focus on adults, and Teen Advisory Council focuses on the youth.” This distinction highlights the council’s unique role within the community: While New Directions provides services for people of all ages, TAC is a youth-driven group that brings a peer perspective to prevention and awareness efforts.

The impact of TAC extends beyond event planning. Members engage in year-round outreach efforts, educating their peers about critical issues. When asked how she recruits new members, student leader Jocelyn Beeman said, “We go deeper into the meaning of TAC. We raise awareness of drugs, alcohol, and abuse.” 

This focus on meaningful education ensures that TAC’s message resonates and that students are empowered with knowledge to make safer choices.

Lindsey Lamp serves as the executive director of New Directions, where she oversees the organization's prevention, advocacy, and support programs for individuals across Knox County. Under her leadership, New Directions works closely with the Teen Advisory Council to empower youth voices and promote healthy decision-making. Lamp plays a key role in guiding the organization's mission to foster a safer, healthier community by supporting both adult and youth-focused initiatives.

Saturday’s event was a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention education and youth engagement. The vibrant colors, laughter, and cheers echoed the community’s commitment to supporting young people and raising awareness around key health and safety issues.

With its strong turnout and meaningful conversations sparked throughout the day, this year’s Color for a Cause reaffirmed why it’s an event that continues to grow in impact each year. Through their leadership and commitment, the Teen Advisory Council and New Directions are helping to build a healthier, more informed Knox County — one step, one color, one conversation at a time.

For more information about the Teen Advisory Council or New Directions, please visit https://www.newdirectionsknox.org/who-we-are.