Light for Life: Walk, Remember, and Give Hope

This May, Youstar Foundation invites you to join a meaningful movement for suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and the value of life.

South Korea carries the painful stigma of having one of the highest suicide rates among developed nations. As Korean Americans living in the United States, we believe this is not only Korea’s issue, but a shared call for our global Korean community to respond with compassion, courage, and action.

In 2026, Youstar Foundation is preparing a special campaign in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, we will host a 5K Walk in Los Angeles to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health. We are also working with Esther Ha Foundation in New York, nonprofit partners in San Francisco, and organizations in Korea to build a united campaign across cities and countries.

But the campaign will not end with the walk.

On September 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM, World Suicide Prevention Day, participants will light a candle wherever they are and post a photo or video on social media using the same campaign hashtags. Together, we hope to create a viral movement of light, remembrance, hope, and solidarity.

This is more than a walk. It is a message to the world that the Korean community chooses life, breaks silence, and stands together.

We especially invite Korean businesses and brands with global influence through K-culture, K-products, K-food, K-beauty, and K-lifestyle to join this campaign. As Korean culture continues to inspire the world, Korean companies also have a powerful opportunity to lead with compassion and help spread a life-saving message.

Your gift during Give in May will help support:

•    The 2026 5K Walk for suicide prevention

•    Mental health awareness materials

•    Candle or LED candle distribution for the September 10 campaign

•    Social media campaign production and outreach

•    Community education and prevention efforts

•    Partnership building with Korean American and Korean organizations

By giving today, you are helping us turn pain into action, silence into conversation, and one candle into a movement of hope.

Please give in May and stand with Youstar Foundation as we walk for life, light for hope, and speak for those who are suffering in silence.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Youstar Foundation

Suggested hashtags:

•    #LightForLife

•    #GiveInMay

•    #YoustarFoundation

•    #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

•    #KoreaForLife

•    #KCultureForLife

•    #WalkForLife

•    #HopeTogether

 📋 Event Overview: World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 Solidarity Walk

> Walking Together for Hope: You Are Not Alone

> A simultaneous multi-city 5K solidarity walk to bridge communities across the nation, raise awareness for suicide prevention, and celebrate the value of life.

> 

 🗓️ Event Details

 * Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026

 * Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Local Time)

 * Format: Simultaneous 5K Walk across 3 major US cities

 📍 Locations & Venues

The walk will commence simultaneously in three major cities across the United States:

 * Los Angeles (LA): Griffith Park

 * New York (NY): Central Park

 * San Francisco (SF): (Venue to be announced / e.g., Golden Gate Park)*

 🤝 Organizers & Sponsors

 * Organized by: Youstar Foundation & Esther Ha Foundation 

 * Cooperation Partners & Sponsors: Overseas Koreans Agency (재외동포청), Rotary Club of Koreatown, Yay Foundation, and various local community groups.

✨ Key Highlights

 * Bridging Communities: Bringing East Coast, West Coast, and Northern California communities together with "Voices as One, Bridging Across the Pacific."

 * Community Solidarity: Highlighting unity and professional support through the collaboration of diverse community organizations.

 * Special Event: AKMU ‘Dance of Hope’ Group Dance Challenge to spread positive energy and warm fellowship.