By Charlene Welch, Council for the Homeless
Happy Halfway Day! The Cycling Across America team marks the 2,000 mile point in their 4,000 mile journey from Seaside, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts! They are raising awareness about homelessness and funds for Council for the Homeless and a shelter in Quebec. David, Lilly, and Edward are cycling and Solange is driving an RV as their support vehicle.
Can you imagine cycling an average of 67 miles per day? Headwinds, tailwinds, hills, heat, long stretches of unchanging scenery. My legs get tired just thinking about it. Yet, it reminds me how when we are motivated to achieve a major accomplishment in our lives, we can be successful when our own determination is matched with support from others who care about our goal and care about us.
The cycling team members trained and planned for this major endeavor. Their desire to accomplish the “big journey” and to help people – especially children – experiencing homelessness is the major motivator. The team is benefiting from their friendships with one another, great maps, tips from others who have taken long bike trips, planned stops along the route for rest and for meeting supporters, and resources to meet their basic needs and keep them safe.
The individuals and families we see each day at the Housing Solutions Center are also on a “big journey.” Their motivator is to meet their basic needs, be safe, and find a home. Thanks to donors and community supporters, our staff provide coaching, maps, tools they know worked for others in similar situations, goal setting based on the client’s values, and above all help meeting basic needs and a home. One woman whose family lived in their car recently shared, “We are not lazy and do not want to be homeless. We work hard but feel stuck. This is just a hard time and we need help figuring things out so we can have a home again.” This goal takes determination and support for sure.
CFTH is honored the Cycling Across American team is riding for the people we serve. You can be on this team and honor David, Lilly, Edward, and Solange’s efforts (BIG efforts!). Please donate to Council for the Homeless in their honor. St. Andrew Lutheran Church is offering a $2,000 match to gifts from here to the finish line.The team may be halfway there, but your gift will be doubled! You can donate at this secure link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CouncilfortheHomeless/CyclingAcrossAmerica.html