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The mission of the Ja'Quan Lavender Foundation is simple: To teach, train and transform young men and women to be the best image of themselves. To build youth of integrity and perseverance who support the physical and mental strength necessary to prepare them to be mentally and physically strong through their life journey.
Those words were put into motion Saturday, when the foundation held its first Journey to Gold Olympic Fun Day at the Harding Stadium Track Complex.
It was an afternoon that featured a chance for participants to enjoy themselves. There were activities on and off the track, vendors, inflatables and food trucks.
The goal was to help teach healthy habits to young people and to help inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.
Lavender, a graduate of Steubenville High School and Tiffin University, is a world-class athlete who participated in track at the Olympic level and spent time with the USA skeleton team. He said he has hung up his spikes and has turned his attention to helping the community through his foundation.
He is doing that through his Journey to Gold: Great Opportunities Lift Dreams. Objectives of the foundation include providing mentoring and training for lifelong academic success for middle school and high school students, working to create a positive image and setting goals.
Its core initiatives are education, experience and exposure.
It focuses, as Lavender said Saturday, "upon supporting and empowering at-risk youth and adults with pursuing their hopes and dreams, and helping them achieve their full potential."
Saturday's fun day is the first in what Lavender hopes will be a series of events aimed at helping the area's young people grow and realize that their goals and dreams are within their reach if they are willing to work toward them.
Lavender's efforts will make a difference in the lives of young people throughout the region and that, in turn, will help to make our community a better place to live.