friend, inc. gets tires spinning with
brake the cycle of poverty in kutztown
by jennifer hetrick
the multi-purpose social service agency friend, inc. is hosting its first ever brake the cycle of poverty bike ride sunday the 8th of august beginning at kutztown park, where registration tables will be open at 8.30 a.m.
rides start at 9.00 a.m. and will be marshaled until 11.00 a.m.
kutztown-based friend, inc. aims to help those in need of financial, family, legal, emotional, and other forms of support in the northeastern region of berks county.
the agency’s primary goal is promoting self-sufficiency leading to better lives.
under the belt of its services offered are case management, a monthly food pantry, emergency cash assistance, and more.
“there are so many different situations that affect us in this kind of economy—we have to serve an array of needs,” executive director erica hesselson said.
“even donors are trying to spend less, and the need has increased, so resources are becoming depleted faster,” hesselson noted.
in times with more distinct budgetary restrictions, hesselson pointed out that it’s not just cash assistance but also people’s time, expertise, and connections that can boost the agency’s abilities to promote self-sufficiency to those in need. families that friend, inc. works with usually have trouble affording rent and are in one way or another, devastated by job losses.
“people can help because of who they are,” hesselson said, “not just because of what they have.”
“we work with families and individuals to help people create long-lasting positive change in their lives—helping them to navigate the system,” hesselson said.
“people in this area are very hesitant to ask for help, but once they receive it, they are greatly appreciative,” hesselson said, adding that those who benefit from friend, inc.’s services often tell their family, friends, and neighbors about the agency, leading to more referrals and assistance.
a popular program open to the community through friend, inc. is a six-week parenting course available to families at any income level.
in the past year, hesselson juggled ideas for a new kind of fundraiser to keep monetary backing of the agency continuing well despite the recession—finally deciding to host a bike ride to reel in area cyclists for the worthy cause.
a bicycling enthusiast herself, hesselson explained that brake the cycle of poverty came into shape because the agency hoped to develop a new family friendly fundraiser that would also bring people out for some good gulps of fresh air and exercise, as those who are often out on two slender tires know bike riding is very popular in this area.
the idea also cultivated with organizational support offered by kevin claypoole of the area ski group known as the flying dutchmen.
“cathy dill, the office and projects manager at friend, inc. looked up brake the cycle of poverty online and came across a group of cyclists from connecticut with this [same] name,” hesselson said. “they bike across the country and the state of connecticut to raise money and awareness about poverty and homelessness.”
in fact, two of this out-of-state group’s cyclists will be pedaling in kutztown at friend, inc.’s upcoming august ride, thanks to the connection dill made after that quick internet search.
“i think this is more innovative,” hesselson said about the pro-biking event. “there are so many bikers in the area with the velodrome being so close.”
taking those factors into account led to a smooth transition of incorporating the mind-body-spirit concept in biking with the need to work on ending poverty on the local level.
as members of the berks county bicycle club are scattered throughout the region, this event is likely to appeal to that audience of wheeled ones as well.
brake the cycle of poverty includes two rain-or-shine route options—one easy sweep of 10 miles and a more hill-heavy curve of roads totaling 25 miles.
registration the day of the event is $35, with early registration for $25. children under age 12 are welcome to pedal their hearts out for free when they’re not living it up in the fun and games planned for kiddies.
lunch is free for riders, and up to 143 of those biking will receive a free t-shirt just for participating.
skyline bicycles & skateboards of reading kindly donated this khs alite 150 mountain bike, with shimano components and disk brakes, for a lucky winner to be picked out of those buying $5 raffle prize tickets.
the bike's retail value is listed at $450.00.
sponsors of brake the cycle of poverty include kutztown borough, lehigh valley health network, adams outdoor advertising, carpenter technology, deka of east penn manufacturing, johnson & johnson, penske corporation, the bottom line accounting and tax services, powerbar, LAND DISPLAYS, deer park water, skyline bicycles & skateboards, burkey construction company, and air products.
visit here to register for brake the cycle of poverty, or visit friend, inc.'s brake the cycle of poverty page on the web for more information.
by jennifer hetrick
the multi-purpose social service agency friend, inc. is hosting its first ever brake the cycle of poverty bike ride sunday the 8th of august beginning at kutztown park, where registration tables will be open at 8.30 a.m.
rides start at 9.00 a.m. and will be marshaled until 11.00 a.m.
kutztown-based friend, inc. aims to help those in need of financial, family, legal, emotional, and other forms of support in the northeastern region of berks county.
the agency’s primary goal is promoting self-sufficiency leading to better lives.
under the belt of its services offered are case management, a monthly food pantry, emergency cash assistance, and more.
“there are so many different situations that affect us in this kind of economy—we have to serve an array of needs,” executive director erica hesselson said.
“even donors are trying to spend less, and the need has increased, so resources are becoming depleted faster,” hesselson noted.
in times with more distinct budgetary restrictions, hesselson pointed out that it’s not just cash assistance but also people’s time, expertise, and connections that can boost the agency’s abilities to promote self-sufficiency to those in need. families that friend, inc. works with usually have trouble affording rent and are in one way or another, devastated by job losses.
“people can help because of who they are,” hesselson said, “not just because of what they have.”
“we work with families and individuals to help people create long-lasting positive change in their lives—helping them to navigate the system,” hesselson said.
“people in this area are very hesitant to ask for help, but once they receive it, they are greatly appreciative,” hesselson said, adding that those who benefit from friend, inc.’s services often tell their family, friends, and neighbors about the agency, leading to more referrals and assistance.
a popular program open to the community through friend, inc. is a six-week parenting course available to families at any income level.
in the past year, hesselson juggled ideas for a new kind of fundraiser to keep monetary backing of the agency continuing well despite the recession—finally deciding to host a bike ride to reel in area cyclists for the worthy cause.
a bicycling enthusiast herself, hesselson explained that brake the cycle of poverty came into shape because the agency hoped to develop a new family friendly fundraiser that would also bring people out for some good gulps of fresh air and exercise, as those who are often out on two slender tires know bike riding is very popular in this area.
the idea also cultivated with organizational support offered by kevin claypoole of the area ski group known as the flying dutchmen.
“cathy dill, the office and projects manager at friend, inc. looked up brake the cycle of poverty online and came across a group of cyclists from connecticut with this [same] name,” hesselson said. “they bike across the country and the state of connecticut to raise money and awareness about poverty and homelessness.”
( connecticut's brake the cycle of poverty riders
on their 2010 ride. photograph by joan terzo. )
( the connecticut riders of brake the cycle of poverty
in line at their 2010 ride. photograph by joan terzo. )
in fact, two of this out-of-state group’s cyclists will be pedaling in kutztown at friend, inc.’s upcoming august ride, thanks to the connection dill made after that quick internet search.
“i think this is more innovative,” hesselson said about the pro-biking event. “there are so many bikers in the area with the velodrome being so close.”
taking those factors into account led to a smooth transition of incorporating the mind-body-spirit concept in biking with the need to work on ending poverty on the local level.
as members of the berks county bicycle club are scattered throughout the region, this event is likely to appeal to that audience of wheeled ones as well.
brake the cycle of poverty includes two rain-or-shine route options—one easy sweep of 10 miles and a more hill-heavy curve of roads totaling 25 miles.
registration the day of the event is $35, with early registration for $25. children under age 12 are welcome to pedal their hearts out for free when they’re not living it up in the fun and games planned for kiddies.
lunch is free for riders, and up to 143 of those biking will receive a free t-shirt just for participating.
skyline bicycles & skateboards of reading kindly donated this khs alite 150 mountain bike, with shimano components and disk brakes, for a lucky winner to be picked out of those buying $5 raffle prize tickets.
the bike's retail value is listed at $450.00.
sponsors of brake the cycle of poverty include kutztown borough, lehigh valley health network, adams outdoor advertising, carpenter technology, deka of east penn manufacturing, johnson & johnson, penske corporation, the bottom line accounting and tax services, powerbar, LAND DISPLAYS, deer park water, skyline bicycles & skateboards, burkey construction company, and air products.
visit here to register for brake the cycle of poverty, or visit friend, inc.'s brake the cycle of poverty page on the web for more information.
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