Teen Line

WHAT: The 2020 Corona Fall Classic Marathon / Half Marathon / 10K in support of TEEN LINE

More information about Teen Line: Every night from 6 to 10pm PST, a group of dedicated teens participate in one of the most unique, fulfilling, and life-changing volunteer programs available. Teen Line is a teen-to-teen crisis hotline and community outreach program dedicated to providing a safety net for teenagers before their problems reach a crisis point. No problem is too big or too small, Teen Line makes sure teens are never alone. Teen Line's hotline and texting numbers: [phone redacted] or text TEEN to 839863


WHEN: TBD Fall 2020: Sunday November 22 


WHERE: Race Day Local to your location. There will be running a socially distanced West Side iteration starting in Santa Monica. 


HOW: $20 minimum donation to Charity - I will provide: personalized training plan, weekly run and strength coaching, nutrition coaching, recovery coaching. Week day training will be on your own, I will host a Sunday Morning long run each week from the Santa Monica Pier. Depending on how many people enter, I will also consider bringing in brand sponsors. 


WHY: 


COVID-19 has affected the world in unimaginable ways - financially, emotionally, and everything in between. Additionally, it has shattered our daily routines, and a loss of routine can be challenging for many, as it is for me. An avid distance runner since high school, I have found that having a long term running goal, or a race to train for, has helped in personal growth and development and improved my own mental health. 


Through training and this race, we will also raise money and awareness for vital mental health support services which are inundated with new people seeking help and counsel. 


WHO: Anyone is encouraged to join - we will act as accountability partners to each other. To enter into the Marathon, a current weekly mileage of 15 miles is suggested but not required. To enter into the Half Marathon, a currently weekly mileage of 5 miles is suggested. To enter into the 10K, the current ability to run/walk one mile is suggested. 


Please reach out if you have questions or concerns on which distance you should be training for - although you will be surprised what your body can do.

Thank you all for taking a second to read this!  I'm getting ready to run my third race to benefit Teen Line on Saturday, November 2nd.  Teen Line is a confidential hotline for teenagers who are struggling with mental health.  

Suicide prevention is a cause very important to me. I lost my step-brother, Mackie, three and a half years ago to suicide.  Suicide is an epidemic.   It's currently the second leading cause of death in the United States for people under the age of 20, with millions of attempted suicides each year.  These numbers only continue to grow.  This is where Teen Line works to make a difference. 


The pain I felt losing Mackie is something that will forever be part of me. I volunteer at Teen Line to listen.

My time with Teen Line has been life-changing and has allowed me to gain a new perspective on mental health.  My one wish is that Mackie had reached out to Teen Line, or a service like it, to get the help he needed. Teen Line is a resource that people can turn to in their darkest hour and get the help they deserve.

As I turn the age that Mackie was when he passed, I strive to make a positive impact so no family ever has to feel the pain mine did.

I hope you will consider supporting me in my effort to bring awareness to the suicide epidemic.

Best,
Jackson

Hi Everybody, 

My name is Jackson Gurvitz and I am a sophomore at The Brentwood School. On Sunday, November 4th, I am running in the Santa Clarita Marathon for the third time! All the money I raise will go to Teen Line, Los Angeles. Teen Line is a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7 free and confidential support. I am running in honor of my step-brother, Mackie, who committed suicide two years ago....he was only 18.

My family was forever changed when Mackie passed away. I was so lucky to have known Mackie for 12 years but my younger siblings did not have the chance to build the same kind of relationship with him. I run so Mackie will never be forgotten. I also run to bring awareness to my friends, family and the greater Los Angeles community about such a serious cause.

Last year I raised almost $13,000 for Teen Line. I am very proud of my 2017 fundraiser, but I wanted to do more. So, I am currently in the Teen Line training program to become one of the Teen Listeners. I am honored to be a part of the program.

Please support me in my continued efforts to give back to Teen Line. This year, my goal is to raise $25,000. Your help is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.


My best,

Jackson

 

Hello All,

I am running the half-marathon in Santa Clarita on Sunday, November 5th and am trying to raise funds for an incredible organization called Teen Line.  Teen Line is a Los Angeles based organization that provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week services for teens in crisis.   More teenagers die each year from suicide than from cancer, HIV, heart disease, birth defects, flu and pneumonia.  Each day almost 3500 teens, grades 9-12, attempt suicide.

In the summer of 2016, my step-brother, Mackie, became one of those statistics.  He was 18. He fought depression for years and finally it took him from our family.  I loved Mackie.  He was smart, athletic, fun and adventurous....when we were little.  His teenage years, were a struggle.  I remember seeing and hearing what was happening, scared....and then the morning of July 31st, I found out that Mackie had taken his life.  

I am a 15 year old, 9th grade student at Brentwood School.  I hear stories and see kids who are suffering.  I want to help raise awareness.  I am a runner, so I am doing the half marathon this weekend to raise awareness and donations for a cause that means so much to me.  My goal is to train for the LA Marathon in March while continuing to fundraise for Teen Line.

I would so appreciate your support.

My Best,

Jackson