Teen promotes suicide prevention, awareness

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

A family tragedy at an early age led a young Sioux City parishioner to lean into his faith and make the decision to positively impact others.

Chance Riley, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City, was 12 when his father died by suicide in 2019.

“My dad was so connected to the church and the church family at Sacred Heart. We are a faith-based driven family in general,” said the 2025 graduate of West High School in Sioux City. “After he passed, I knew there would be a lot of people who would take care of us and make sure we were okay.”

During the time when Riley and his mother Brenda needed support, the parish family along with their friends and family were there to provide comfort.

Chance Riley“Staying close to God and close to our faith was important for my mom and I,” he recalled, noting that his faith helped to form him through his middle and high school years. “The belief in Christ and in being the best person I can through God, taking care of others is what my dad would have wanted.”

Two years after his father took his own life, at just 14 years old, Riley came up with the idea of organizing a car race in his honor because his dad raced hobby stocks for more than 20 years. The first race was held in 2022 and each year the event has grown.

This year, the fourth annual Dave Riley Memorial Race was held last month at the Park Jefferson Speedway and drew with about 150 cars participating from the region.

“My whole drive and goal of this race has been to positively impact the world,” said Riley, who stressed that thinking positively and being faith-filled can make a big difference to one’s overall health and mental state. “I think God wanted my mom and I to create this event to bring together thousands of people for the last four years in a positive light.”

He pointed out that through a 50/50 raffle and T-shirt sales at the memorial race, they have raised more than $5,000 to benefit suicide prevention awareness and the Out of the Darkness Walk.Out of the Darkness Walks are organized in hundreds of cities throughout the country by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, bringing together communities to support those affected by suicide. Riley and his mother are part of a group of people who sponsor and assist with the local event. This year’s walk in Sioux City is slated for Sept. 20 at Chris Larsen Park.

“I want people to know that mental health matters,” said Riley. “Mental health is a huge part of our total wellbeing. Faithfully, at church, our mental state is guided and led by our Lord.”

He pointed out that going to church after his father’s passing was a great source of comfort for his mother and himself. Surrounded by his parish family, prayer and worship has led him on a quest to offer positivity and a helping hand where possible.

“It’s important to me and the church helped me to do that,” said Riley, who will attend Iowa State University in the fall to study business. “I’m always willing to help others. If someone needs something, I try to be encouraging and uplift them.”

Chance as a younger boy with his father and mother.He acknowledged that it has been tough and wishes his father could have been here through those years “but I know he would definitely be proud of me and my mom for our connection to God.”As he heads off to college, Riley plans “to continue to spread positivity through God’s message and at Iowa State will do more of the same - get involved with the community.”

The Rileys plan to continue the memorial race and assist in raising funds for suicide prevention in the Sioux City area.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. For additional assistance, contact Catholic Charities at cathchar.com.