LEXINGTON, Ky. – When Dr. Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett runs the 2026 Chicago Marathon in October, she’ll be running for more than herself. Every mile she will run will be for a child in foster care.
As the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) honors National Foster Care Month this May, Dowdy-Hazlett’s work and personal mission elevate the voices and experiences of children in youth in foster care.
Dowdy-Hazlett, an assistant professor with the CoSW, began running a year ago as a way to challenge herself and discover a new kind of hard. Now, she’s able to combine her personal passion with her professional, running the Chicago Marathon in support of CASA of Cook County. CASA supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect.
“This marathon is about more than completing 26.2 miles,” Dowdy-Hazlett shared. “Every dollar raised helps ensure that children in foster care have someone in their corner, someone to advocate for them, amplify their voices, and support them in finding safety and permanency.”
Working for the Department of Community Based Services previously, Dowdy-Hazlett had the opportunity to work alongside CASA volunteers. For her, supporting the organization is a full circle moment.
Running the Chicago Marathon for Team CASA also allows her to support those volunteers and the work that aligns deeply with her professional work and research.
“I spend much of my research evaluating interventions and identifying ways to improve systems of care. Running the Chicago Marathon for Team CASA gives me another way to engage directly with the community and support children beyond research and program evaluation,” Dowdy-Hazlett said.
Focusing on positive youth outcomes, Dowdy-Hazlett continues to further her research to cultivate a better system for foster children. In a recent qualitative study conducted with CoSW’s Dr. Shelby Clark, the two faculty members interviewed young adults transitioning out of foster care.
One theme that stood out was how many youth felt unheard, unsupported, and mistreated during their time in care. Their stories reinforced the urgent need for advocacy, connection, and systems that genuinely center the voices of young people, Dowdy-Hazlett shared.
During National Foster Care Month, there is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many individuals who dedicate their lives to supporting children and families.
“National Foster Care Month is always deeply meaningful to me because it provides an opportunity to reflect on both the progress we have made and the work that still needs to be done to better support children and families involved in the foster care system,” Dowdy-Hazlett said.
As Dowdy-Hazlett continues to prepare for her race, she is motivated by the mission she is supporting and the children who continue to inspire her.
“Training for a marathon is challenging, but it also puts things into perspective,” Dowdy-Hazlett said. “The children we advocate for face challenges every single day that are far greater than the discomfort of a run. Remembering their struggles helps me push through moments of fatigue and reminds me why this race matters.”
For more information on the race and to learn more about CASA of Cook County, please visit Dowdy-Hazlett’s Chicago Marathon profile.