Loading....

FOUNDED BY LISA THOMAS

241 Runners Awareness was founded to bridge the critical gaps between runaway youth, their families, and law enforcement, with the goal of ensuring no child is lost without recognition or support. Inspired by the tragic story of Israel Thomas, a young man who was misidentified following a fatal accident, 241 Runners Awareness is committed to meaningful change for adoptive families affected by runaway cases.

OUR STORY:

HONORING ISRAEL THOMAS

Israel Alejandro Thomas was a young man who embodied resilience. Adopted at two years old, Israel overcame significant early trauma to graduate high school and establish a small business, Israel’s Bakery. However, in 2021, Israel’s mental health declined, leading him to run away multiple times. Tragically, Israel went missing on March 8, 2024, and after months of searching, his adoptive mother, Lisa Thomas, discovered he had been struck by a car the following day and buried as a John Doe. Israel’s passing revealed critical shortcomings in the identification process for runaways, particularly adoptees without biological markers in existing databases.

241 Runners Awareness was born from this profound loss, and Lisa Thomas has transformed her grief into action, championing reform so other families do not suffer similar heartbreak.

Why It Matters

Runaway youth face immense risks, from homelessness to abuse and exploitation. Of the estimated 1.5 million youth who run away each year, many remain unreported or unidentified, leaving families in anguish:

90% of runaway cases are classified as “endangered.”
47% cite family conflict, often having previously informed a parent or guardian of their intentions.
80% of runaway girls report having experienced physical or sexual abuse.
Each year, approximately 500,000 runaways remain unreported.

Sources: Global Missing Kids, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

✓Amount

✓Your Info

✓Payment

Select an Amount

Make this donation recurring

Increase my donation amount to cover fees

$25
$50
$100
$250
$

Donation will repeat monthly.

$10
$25
$50
$75
$100
$

At 241 Runners Awareness, we focus on impactful, actionable goals that create a safer, more responsive system for runaway youth and their families:

Adoption Transparency
Advocate for adoptive parents to receive biological markers for adoptees, enabling essential medical and identification support.
Enhanced Missing Persons Databases
Improve missing persons databases to reduce the risk of unidentified runaways by linking them to family reports.
Media Advocacy
Promote broader media coverage of unidentified accident victims to increase awareness and help reunite families.
Prevention and Intervention Programs
Support initiatives addressing the root causes of running away, including family counseling and mental health resources.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Partner with law enforcement, medical professionals, and community organizations to create effective identification strategies for affected families.

Next >

Your Information

First Name*

Last Name*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

Email Address*

Phone

I'd like to receive updates from this organization

Next >

<< Back

Payment Information

Payment Type:

Credit Card

eCheck

PayPal

Bank Account*

Name on Account*

Bank Routing Number*

Bank Account Number*

Card Number*

Security Code*

Expiration Month*

Expiration Year*

Name on Card*

Donate Now

Contact Us

ORGANIZATION NAME
ORG ADDRESS LINE 1 ORG ADDRESS LINE 2
ORG CITY, ORG STATE ORG ZIP
ORG CONTACT PHONE

contact@241runnersawareness.org
ORG CONTACT EMAIL

Thank you! Your gift has been received.

We appreciate your generous support. Please share with your friends and family.