#sharedhope

Change: Blog Deliverable #8, Part 1

NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, the BEST defensive player in NFL history was the reason I became a Giants fan as a little girl. He played his position with total disregard for anything but his target. Unfortunately he also lived his life this way, with total disregard of anything except his desires.

We're excited to dedicate this trip to more than just our love of biking and adventure. We've each chosen an organization, and before and throughout the trip, we'll be raising money and promoting their work. Both of these organizations have committed to offering us help and support along the way, and we look forward to building strong relationships with them over the course of our journey. We invite you to support us by making a financial donation (see left column). Either choose whichever aligns most strongly with your own beliefs, or support each. We're grateful for anything you are able to contribute. Our plan is to fund raise throughout the trip, and cut each organization a big check at the end. We'll keep you posted via the blog about fundraising progress. Email us if you have any questions. And THANK YOU. Here's why we feel so strongly about these organizations:

Surge for Water By Meg

I used to not drink much water. This changed after I wound up in the emergency room for heart palpitations due to extreme dehydration. Ever since then I've faithfully carried around a water bottle and for a long time never took a long bicycle ride without a Camelback hydration pack strapped to my back. Recently, I began to contemplate how water, which is accessible to me at any point of the day with the turn of a faucet, is not readily available to the homeless people who hang around my street in New York City. Not only is water access linked to socioeconomics, it's largely an education issue. Enter Surge for Water.

I reached out to Surge for a few reasons. First, access to safe water affects all of us (think of the current controversy over the Spectra Pipeline in New York's West Village), particularly now with new, more severe weather patterns. Second, something so simple, so permanent, so ubiquitous (watery, formless planet Earth was the first thing created by god if you believe the teachings of the Old Testament) and essential to every living organism is widely unavailable to most of us: 1 in 6 does not have access to safe water. Third, throughout the planning process for our trip, access to water remains one of my top three priorities -- how could we possibly cycle 3,000 + miles across deserts and arid lands without safe water? 

Surge makes a huge difference through donations (100% of public donations go directly to fund sustainable water projects), its education and awareness programs that reach thousands of people every year, and investment in innovation. Surge's success hinges on its partnerships with the citizens and local organizations where they provide assistance.

  Throughout our ride, I'll be exploring the issue of safe water access in America. This will occur primarily through conversations with people and my own observations. Thanks in advance for your support!!

      Shared Hope International

By Kara

Shared Hope International brings hope to American women and children victimized in the commercial sex industry. Did you know that sex trafficking is a problem in America? At least 100,000 American children are being exploited through pornography or prostitution every year. How well is YOUR state doing?

Sex slavery is a problem all over the world, but most people don't acknowledge or realize that it's a problem in America. We have barely any laws or infrastructure to stop it's existence or help victims out of their trap. Shared Hope's goal is to create a world where every survivor is surrounded by trained professionals, an alert community, just law and policy, knowledgeable service providers and appropriate shelter options.

My roommate and dear friend, Shamere, is a survivor of sex slavery. A college track star, she was approached by a trafficker and lured in the trap of sex slavery. Now, years later, she travels the country telling her own story and advocating for the rights of others. She has dedicated her life to this cause, and I am dedicating this ride to the same cause and all of the young women and children who desperately need help.

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sharedhope replied to your post: Seli, I trust you are doing well? Do we need to have another human sleepover?

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