The CHAS Foundation

09/21/2026

Thanks to all the incredible runners, walkers, strollers, and volunteers who helped to sell out this year’s 12th Annual CHAS 5k hosted by Tidewater Striders Club🏃‍♂️💚😎.

Once again, another great event highlighting the need for improved mental heath care and support for families experiencing a mental health crisis.

A special thanks to our
Platinum Sponsors: Allfirst, LLC & Thistle Foundation

Gold Sponsors: TowneBank, Courage Miller Partners, LLC., Capital Digestive Care, Tucker Corprew, The Inciong Family

Silver Sponsors: Sentara Health

Bronze: Colley Avenue Copies & Graphics Inc., Beth Lloyd @ Howard Hanna

Remember, CHAS stands for Courage, Hope, Acceptance, Support

09/12/2026

We are one week away from our 12th Annual CHAS 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run and Walk. The 1-week countdown is on!!! This Saturday, September 19th, in Suffolk, VA, come join us for The Chas Foundation 5K & 1 Miler presented by the Tidewater Striders! 💙💚💙

This amazing event helps raise funds for CHAS programs while bringing the community together for a fun morning of racing and support! This race supports families that have lost a loved one, families trying to help a loved one struggling with mental illness, and people who are just looking to stay mentally healthy.

🔥 The race features a FAST, FLAT, certified course through a gorgeous golf course neighborhood — perfect for runners chasing a PR or walkers looking to enjoy a beautiful event atmosphere.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors this year!

Platinum: Allfirst, LLC; Thistle Foundation
Gold: Capital Digestive Care, Courage Killer Miller Partners, LLC. TowneBank
Silver: Sentara Health Cares
Bronze: Beth Lloyd at Howard Hannah

We can't wait to see you there:)

📍 6001 Harbour View Blvd. Suffolk, VA 23435
📅 Saturday, September 19th
👉 Register now:
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Suffolk/ChasFoundation5K

09/08/2026

Show your support and join us for the 12th ANNUAL CHAS 5K & 1-MILER next Saturday, September 19th! This is a family-friendly event open to ALL ages and skill levels--runners, walkers and "wheelers" (chairs and strollers) are welcome!
Register today! runsignup.com/race/va/suffolk/chasfoundation5k

🏃‍♂️ REGISTRATION REMINDER! 🏃‍♀️

Join us on Saturday, September 19th in Suffolk, VA for the Chas Foundation 5K & 1 Miler presented by the Tidewater Striders! 💙💛

This amazing event helps raise funds for the Chas Foundation while bringing the community together for a fun morning of racing and support!

🔥 The race features a FAST, FLAT, certified course through a gorgeous golf course neighborhood — perfect for runners chasing a PR or walkers looking to enjoy a beautiful event atmosphere!

🔥 This race is also the 2nd race in the brand new Western Tidewater Race Challenge!

Complete all 3 races to earn a special challenge medal:
✅ Elizabeth River Run 10K
✅ Chas Foundation 5K
✅ Salute to Service 5K

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting new race series in Western Tidewater!

📍 Suffolk, VA
📅 Saturday, September 19th

👉 Register now:
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Suffolk/ChasFoundation5K

08/28/2026

A community day of mental health awareness. Stop by and see us in Suffolk tomorrow 😎

📣 SAVE THE DATE! 💚🧠💜

The NAACP Nansemond-Suffolk Branch and East End Baptist Church Health Ministry invite YOU and your family to our Mind, Body & Soul Mental Health Awareness Community Day!

🗓 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 East End Baptist Church
1056 Portsmouth Blvd.
Suffolk, VA 23434

✨ Everything is FREE!

Come out for a day dedicated to healing, hope, and community. We’ll be focusing on the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness while connecting neighbors with valuable resources.

🌿 Enjoy:
🚶🏽 Healthy Walk (10:00–10:30 AM)
🩺 FREE Health Screenings
💚 Mental Health Resources
🎓 Educational Forums
👮🏽‍♀️ Law Enforcement & Community Services
⛪ Churches from Across the Community
💃🏽 Zumba
🧘🏽 Yoga
🎲 Games for All Ages
🛍 Local Vendors
🚚 Food Trucks
🎶 Line Dancing, Music & Family Fun

Whether you’re looking for resources, fellowship, encouragement, or simply a great day with the community, there’s something for everyone!

“Be Well. Be Strong. Be You.”

💚 All are welcome! Bring your family, invite your friends, and let’s come together as one community because we’re stronger together and healthier together. We can’t wait to see you there!

06/12/2026

We had a warm but wonderful day yesterday at the 14th Annual CHAS Golf Classic, which was held in memory of our friend Andrew Wilcox. Thanks to all of our sponsors, volunteers and golfers who helped us to make such a memorable event.

05/14/2026

With it being Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm sharing this amazing and critical information from our friends at Honest Voice.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Most of us were taught to watch for red flags — the obvious signs that someone is in crisis. Pay attention. Notice the warnings. Step in when things get bad.

That instinct is good. But it has a cost we don't talk about enough.

By the time red flags are visible, the person we love has already been carrying weight for a long time. The "warning signs" we're trained to spot are often the late stages of struggles that started months or years earlier — quietly, in patterns that didn't look like anything at the time.

Waiting for red flags means we're always responding to crisis, never to the conditions that lead to it.

What if we got better at noticing earlier? Not to diagnose. Not to fix. Just to be present before things become urgent.

That's what Before the Red Flags is about — building safer lives, not just spotting signs.

📘 Free Kindle edition May 14–18 on Amazon for Mental Health Awareness Month. Free, because this conversation belongs to everyone.

If it speaks to you, share it with someone who might need it.

04/27/2026

YOUTH SU***DE RISK & PREVENTION CONFERENCE 2026
Join us this Thursday and Friday for a live virtual conference hosted by CHKD & EVMS, in collaboration with The CHAS Foundation.