Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners, Inc. is partnering with SSM Health and local organizations to host Miles 4 Minds, a youth‑led 4K run/walk designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and connect young people and families to mental health resources in Fond du Lac County.
SSM Health is supporting the Miles 4 Minds 4K Run/Walk with a $7,500 gift. The event is scheduled from 8 – 11 am on Saturday, May 30 at the Fond du Lac County Campus, 400 University Drive in Fond du Lac.
The non‑timed event is being planned and led by participants in Youth Leadership Fond du Lac, a program of Sophia Partners, and is intentionally designed to be accessible and affordable for youth and families.
A free community partner mental health awareness fair will also be available during the event inside the Fond du Lac County Campus building.
“This event reflects the voices and leadership of young people in our community,” according to Christa Williams, Sophia Partners Executive Director. “Our students told us clearly that youth mental health is a priority, and Miles 4 Minds is their way of taking action – by bringing people together, starting important conversations, and reminding their peers that they are not alone.”
Participants will receive a free T‑shirt with registration and can take part in a community mental health awareness fair featuring local health, nonprofit, and community partners. The event combines physical activity, connection, and education – three key components shown to support mental well‑being.
According to organizers, Miles 4 Minds directly aligns with SSM Health’s community health priorities, particularly its focus on improving access to behavioral health services and addressing social and community factors that influence well‑being.
“Youth mental health is a critical community health issue, and prevention and early support truly matter,” says Laura Nakielski, SSM Health Community Health Specialist – Senior. “By supporting youth‑led efforts like Miles 4 Minds, we are investing in connection, resilience, and awareness – helping young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to care for themselves and one another.”
Sophia’s partnership with SSM Health reflects a shared commitment to healing, human dignity, and whole‑person well‑being. While Sophia focuses on leadership development rather than clinical care, both organizations recognize that strong, compassionate leadership and connected communities are essential to long‑term health outcomes.
The event is also supported by the Fond du Lac County Health Department, the Fond du Lac Running Club, and a network of education, health care, and nonprofit partners committed to improving mental health for youth and families across the county.
“Miles 4 Minds is about more than a single event,” Williams says. “It’s about building a culture where mental health conversations are normalized, where youth feel empowered to lead, and where community members know how and where to seek support.”
For more information or to register, visit sophiapartners.org/miles-4-minds.
Jodi Dietzel (second from left) and Bryan Kress, SSM Health executive leaders, present a $7,500 gift to support the May 30 Miles 4 Minds 4K Run/Walk to Christa Williams (left), Sophia Transformative Leadership Partners executive director, and Callie Rottman (third from left), a youth event organizer.