After having a day to digest the last six days, I continue to be amazed by the Brake the Cycle Team. I have read all the comments that everyone has written and I have to agree with all of them. The community that has developed from this mission is something that I have never experienced in my life. Every year I am humbled by the team work that it takes to make this trip work. You all are disciples of God.
Every year that I have made this trip, it seems like one thing usually sticks out. Some years it is the poverty centers, the soup kitchens, the church communities, the bike ride or what we learn as a team. This year, we seemed to experience it all. We were able to see different programs that help the poor on Thursday and Friday and we were also able to visit our representatives. I thought our presentations ran very well. They were concise but very informative. We worked great as a team. I thought this year people were ready to hear what we had to say. This is a great sign. The people that were willing to take complete strangers into their homes were absolutely amazing. Everyone was very welcoming. I cannot tell you how many times I saw Jesus on this trip.
The biking part of the trip usually teaches me about myself and the team. This year was no different. I want to thank everyone for the strength that you give me on this trip. I have never seen so many hills as I did this year. To the faster riders, Doug, Tom, Lou, Johnny, Rob, I do know what you give up to try to keep us as a team. It is appreciated. You guys are amazing. To the riders in the back of the pack John, Bob (you were amazing on those hills) and Claire, you make it easy to ride with you. You provide support when I think I do not have the strength to do another hill. You make me laugh just when I think I am done. Charlie, Wayne and Lou, thanks for following behind us to make sure we are all safe. You guys are so patient and understanding. I know I never am alone. We couldn’t do it without you.
Father Stephen, it was go to see you and celebrate your birthday. We missed you riding. Thank you so much for all your support in this mission.
We missed you Ann. Hope you are feeling better.
To all of our support team, Suzanne, Kathy, Joan, Mary, Kelly, Dave, Wendy, John, Jane and Pat, We could not do this ride without you. You provide support when we need it the most. As Matthew 25 says you feed us when we are hungry, provide us drink when we are thirsty and help us from becoming lost and you keep us clean. Most of all you provide us with encouragement when we need it the most.
I treasure each and every one of you. Thanks for being a part of my life.
I am very proud to be part of the BTC team. I am looking forward to continuing the work that we started this past week. As I stated at our last meeting, I hope not to go into hibernation this year. It is time that I walk the walk and talk the talk for 52 weeks of the year rather than just one. This mission changes my life every year and this year was no different.
God Bless all of you,
Pam
Monday, July 5, 2010
BTC 2010 Journal Day 6 – West Hartford to Waterbury (the Finale)
We awoke to a beautiful morning and meandered over for 7:00 mass in the chapel at Holy Family. Fr. John Baptist said mass. Fr. Terry and the team attended and it was a nice way to begin the day.
After mass we headed over to have breakfast. We had a nice selection to eat and the coffee hit the spot.
We also were supplied lunch meat and bread to make sandwiches for later in the day. Sometime if you ever get a chance ask Bob King about sandwiches and the beach.
After a good morning meal and some reflections on the previous day, we all gathered outside and prepared our bikes and ourselves for the day’s ride.
This would be our last ride on this year’s tour. The Finale.
We would be biking to Waterbury to a Naugatuck Valley Project site called ANAMET.
The NVP has embarked on a campaign to transform ANAMET, a Waterbury brownfield, into an asset for surrounding low income communities and all of the Waterbury area. NVP is asking for federal funding for assessment, remediation and redevelopment of the 17-acre site.
The area has some environmental problems but with the proper investment and funding, the intention is to build a Community Center that will not only serve the people of the area but will beautify the site as well.
We look forward to this finale as we did last year when we finished at PHRN, the Public Housing Resident Network. We were fortunate last year to be part of that celebration where PHRN was given a $35,000 grant from CCHD.
The ride from Holy Family was not bad at all. We would hit a few hills here and there but nothing like the hills in Bethlehem and New Milford. Kind of a piece of cake ride today. This was especially true when we came to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This was a 2 mile bike path with beautiful smooth pavement. Very nice.
While on Old Waterbury Road, which had a nice hill, we came upon Epiphany Roman Catholic church. I wanted to go in but the doors were locked. It would have been nice to connect with somebody there and also to use their restrooms. Come to find out that Wendy and Joan did, in fact, get into the church and were able to leave some of our information with a person at the church. Who knows, maybe we will here from them. In any case, I can mention we stopped by and try to connect with them for an upcoming visit.
At this point we were a little more than 5 miles from our point of completion.
We began looking for a place to have lunch. We came upon a cemetery and parked ourselves under some trees at the entrance. We really were not infringing on their grounds. It was a great place to stop.
Out came the sandwiches, the fruit, the cookies, the chips, the Gatorade but best of all the chocolate milk from Subway. Yummy!!!
We relaxed while consuming our lunch. As it got nearer to 1:30 we decided it was time to get back on our bikes and head over to 99 Jewelry Street, the site of ANAMET.
John Ryan led the way. We arrived in plenty of time. We were greeted by Cori Thibodeau, Executive Director, Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry and Bishop Peter Rosazza.
After a short while the Finale began. Cori introduced Bob King who represented the BTC Team. Bob, in his eloquent way, thanked everyone and mentioned how proud we were to be part of this finale and reminded Bishop Peter how he had told us back on the send off on our initial ride to Washington DC that he could not make the hills flat, as John Ryan had requested, but that we should think of the poor with every pedal stroke as we struggled up each hill. Those in poverty struggle 24/7 with no relief. We get fed, showered, and a place to sleep with a roof over our heads.
Bob did request of Bishop Peter that perhaps he could do something about those hills in Bethlehem and New Milford.
After Bob spoke Cori introduced Steve Schrag from the Naugatuck Valley Project and Western Connecticut Central Labor Council. He was very articulate in explaining the plan for the ANAMET site. He rattled off some statistics that further emphasized the need for this planned renovation.
After Steve came Ken Curran, a representative from Congressman Chris Murphy’s Office. Ken first commented on our cycling jerseys and how good looking they were. I had to pat myself on the back for that one. He then congratulated the BTC team and what we are doing and offered Chris Murphy’s assistance in the fight against poverty. We definitely have to hook up with Chris Murphy’s office next year. Looks like we will be biking those Waterbury hills again next year.
Finally Bishop Peter said a few words about the NVP and his connection with them. He also thanked us and everyone involved in making this happen. He then awarded the representative from NVP a $30,000 check to begin the work to be done here. What a great end to a 6 day tour for poverty awareness!!!
We rode in total about 240 miles. Not quite the 50 mile per day average we mention in our presentations but close enough. There is always next year.
Keep pedaling my friends and keep PEDALing too!
Lou
After mass we headed over to have breakfast. We had a nice selection to eat and the coffee hit the spot.
We also were supplied lunch meat and bread to make sandwiches for later in the day. Sometime if you ever get a chance ask Bob King about sandwiches and the beach.
After a good morning meal and some reflections on the previous day, we all gathered outside and prepared our bikes and ourselves for the day’s ride.
This would be our last ride on this year’s tour. The Finale.
We would be biking to Waterbury to a Naugatuck Valley Project site called ANAMET.
The NVP has embarked on a campaign to transform ANAMET, a Waterbury brownfield, into an asset for surrounding low income communities and all of the Waterbury area. NVP is asking for federal funding for assessment, remediation and redevelopment of the 17-acre site.
The area has some environmental problems but with the proper investment and funding, the intention is to build a Community Center that will not only serve the people of the area but will beautify the site as well.
We look forward to this finale as we did last year when we finished at PHRN, the Public Housing Resident Network. We were fortunate last year to be part of that celebration where PHRN was given a $35,000 grant from CCHD.
The ride from Holy Family was not bad at all. We would hit a few hills here and there but nothing like the hills in Bethlehem and New Milford. Kind of a piece of cake ride today. This was especially true when we came to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This was a 2 mile bike path with beautiful smooth pavement. Very nice.
While on Old Waterbury Road, which had a nice hill, we came upon Epiphany Roman Catholic church. I wanted to go in but the doors were locked. It would have been nice to connect with somebody there and also to use their restrooms. Come to find out that Wendy and Joan did, in fact, get into the church and were able to leave some of our information with a person at the church. Who knows, maybe we will here from them. In any case, I can mention we stopped by and try to connect with them for an upcoming visit.
At this point we were a little more than 5 miles from our point of completion.
We began looking for a place to have lunch. We came upon a cemetery and parked ourselves under some trees at the entrance. We really were not infringing on their grounds. It was a great place to stop.
Out came the sandwiches, the fruit, the cookies, the chips, the Gatorade but best of all the chocolate milk from Subway. Yummy!!!
We relaxed while consuming our lunch. As it got nearer to 1:30 we decided it was time to get back on our bikes and head over to 99 Jewelry Street, the site of ANAMET.
John Ryan led the way. We arrived in plenty of time. We were greeted by Cori Thibodeau, Executive Director, Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry and Bishop Peter Rosazza.
After a short while the Finale began. Cori introduced Bob King who represented the BTC Team. Bob, in his eloquent way, thanked everyone and mentioned how proud we were to be part of this finale and reminded Bishop Peter how he had told us back on the send off on our initial ride to Washington DC that he could not make the hills flat, as John Ryan had requested, but that we should think of the poor with every pedal stroke as we struggled up each hill. Those in poverty struggle 24/7 with no relief. We get fed, showered, and a place to sleep with a roof over our heads.
Bob did request of Bishop Peter that perhaps he could do something about those hills in Bethlehem and New Milford.
After Bob spoke Cori introduced Steve Schrag from the Naugatuck Valley Project and Western Connecticut Central Labor Council. He was very articulate in explaining the plan for the ANAMET site. He rattled off some statistics that further emphasized the need for this planned renovation.
After Steve came Ken Curran, a representative from Congressman Chris Murphy’s Office. Ken first commented on our cycling jerseys and how good looking they were. I had to pat myself on the back for that one. He then congratulated the BTC team and what we are doing and offered Chris Murphy’s assistance in the fight against poverty. We definitely have to hook up with Chris Murphy’s office next year. Looks like we will be biking those Waterbury hills again next year.
Finally Bishop Peter said a few words about the NVP and his connection with them. He also thanked us and everyone involved in making this happen. He then awarded the representative from NVP a $30,000 check to begin the work to be done here. What a great end to a 6 day tour for poverty awareness!!!
We rode in total about 240 miles. Not quite the 50 mile per day average we mention in our presentations but close enough. There is always next year.
Keep pedaling my friends and keep PEDALing too!
Lou
BTC 2010 Journal Day 5 – New Milford to Collinsville to Wethersfield
We had a wonderful breakfast with those folks who brought us over to the church and revisited last evening We were more relaxed this more as we believed we had much more time to make it to our next two destinations. We would be splitting up this afternoon. Some of us would stay in Collinsville while the others ventured over to Wethersfield. Two presentations at the same time. Hadn’t done that before.
Bob made a revision to his Cue Sheet and we avoided going up those monstrous hills on Route 109 at the beginning of our ride. We stayed on Route 202 which was definitely a more pleasant ride. There was more traffic but wide shoulder and far less hill climbing. We would stay on this route for like 19 miles.
There were some steep hills here and there. Going into Litchfield was “fun”.
John Ryan fell a couple of times and had a small issue with his bike an shifting but he survived.
While in Litchfield when we were taking a break on their green, we noticed a couple of folks with a big camera. Thinking it was some film crew I ventured over and had a small conversation with the women “reporter”. She thought our mission was interesting but the cameraman did not had what was necessary to film or interview us. I gave her my card none the less. You never know.
I also went over to the restaurant where we had a great send off breakfast when we last visited this area and presented at St. Anthony of Padua parish several years ago. I wanted to see if Michael Lynn Capello still worked there. They did not remember her or us.
We continued our ride and enjoyed some nice down hills as well. As we entered the Burlington/Collinsville area we hit a 2 mile down hill that had to be on of the best down hills we ever experienced. I broke the speed limit for the second time on this ride. The first time the speed limit was 25 mph but this time it was 40 mph. Wow!
We hung a right at the bottom of that hill and proceeded on to St. Patrick’s. We arrived around 2:00, more than 4 hours early.
We had our lunch in the cool basement of the church and relaxed some before the four bikers heading on to Wethersfield had to depart. Everyone else who “had” to hang around until 6:00 pm decided to go to Holy Family to shower and relax, take a nap, whatever.
We need to hear from someone who presented at St. Patrick’s. this would be Claire’s first time presenting. From what I was told she is a natural and did a great job. Sue Ryan also pitched in on that presentation.
Johnnie F, Tom, Pam, and I rode to Corpus Christi parish. We left around 2:30 and arrived there at 4:00. We were two hours early. Nancy Kiely came around 3:00 and we discussed setting up. She was concerned about the possibility of a lack of attendance.
The four of us had to “shower” in the sink in the respective Men’s or Ladie’s rooms. While I was in “showering” in walked a gentlemen who had a shock I am sure because I was in my birthday suit when he came in to do his thing. He didn’t say one word or make a jester or move to wash his hands. He just quietly left when he was done. I am sure he had a story to tell.
After our “showers” we told Nancy we would be going over to Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream and be back in plenty of time.
Yummy! Was that ice cream good.
Went back to Corpus Christi. Pam said she was surprised that this parish was on our list and sort of echoed the concern Nancy had. When we got to the church the parking lot was full. But it wasn’t for us. They had daily mass.
During the potluck we did get a decent crowd of about 25. And, we had the parish’s three pastors in attendance. One was the retiring pastor, Fr. Lonegan who served both Corpus Christi and Sacred Heart parishes. The other was the new pastor, Fr. Jay and the other was Fr. Campion. We also had a visit from Fr. Stephen. So we had four priests at the beginning of our presentation. Hadn’t had that happen preciously.
The presentation went well and we engaged with the participants quite frequently. I could tell Nancy was pleased because she was smiling as we ended. She came over and was impressed with the turnout and our message. Nice how the Holy Spirit works His ways.
It was a great end to our presentations for the week. We took home some goodies and packed up and headed for Holy Family.
Unfortunately we found out that Fr. Terry was a bit indisposed with some health issues and would not be joining us tonight as we would all gather for a little celebration of Fr. Stephen’s 44th birthday.
We got to Holy Family slightly ahead of the others coming from St. Patrick’s.
We put the bikes away for safety and went to our assigned rooms. It was quite stifling from the heat of the day but we suffered through it.
Rob DeSesa also joined us this night. He would ride with us on Tuesday to the finale in Waterbury.
A pretty nice day of sharing and we finally ha a chance to be together as a group and tell some stories, laugh, and relax together. Although it was hot, everyone stayed around until they realized we had to get some rest for tomorrow. I will remember this ride to some degree because of the trials and tribulations of Claire. She sure had some stories. So glad she joined us on the ride. She hung in there even when the hills pulled her down.
Pedal or ……., Pedal or ……….
Lou
Bob made a revision to his Cue Sheet and we avoided going up those monstrous hills on Route 109 at the beginning of our ride. We stayed on Route 202 which was definitely a more pleasant ride. There was more traffic but wide shoulder and far less hill climbing. We would stay on this route for like 19 miles.
There were some steep hills here and there. Going into Litchfield was “fun”.
John Ryan fell a couple of times and had a small issue with his bike an shifting but he survived.
While in Litchfield when we were taking a break on their green, we noticed a couple of folks with a big camera. Thinking it was some film crew I ventured over and had a small conversation with the women “reporter”. She thought our mission was interesting but the cameraman did not had what was necessary to film or interview us. I gave her my card none the less. You never know.
I also went over to the restaurant where we had a great send off breakfast when we last visited this area and presented at St. Anthony of Padua parish several years ago. I wanted to see if Michael Lynn Capello still worked there. They did not remember her or us.
We continued our ride and enjoyed some nice down hills as well. As we entered the Burlington/Collinsville area we hit a 2 mile down hill that had to be on of the best down hills we ever experienced. I broke the speed limit for the second time on this ride. The first time the speed limit was 25 mph but this time it was 40 mph. Wow!
We hung a right at the bottom of that hill and proceeded on to St. Patrick’s. We arrived around 2:00, more than 4 hours early.
We had our lunch in the cool basement of the church and relaxed some before the four bikers heading on to Wethersfield had to depart. Everyone else who “had” to hang around until 6:00 pm decided to go to Holy Family to shower and relax, take a nap, whatever.
We need to hear from someone who presented at St. Patrick’s. this would be Claire’s first time presenting. From what I was told she is a natural and did a great job. Sue Ryan also pitched in on that presentation.
Johnnie F, Tom, Pam, and I rode to Corpus Christi parish. We left around 2:30 and arrived there at 4:00. We were two hours early. Nancy Kiely came around 3:00 and we discussed setting up. She was concerned about the possibility of a lack of attendance.
The four of us had to “shower” in the sink in the respective Men’s or Ladie’s rooms. While I was in “showering” in walked a gentlemen who had a shock I am sure because I was in my birthday suit when he came in to do his thing. He didn’t say one word or make a jester or move to wash his hands. He just quietly left when he was done. I am sure he had a story to tell.
After our “showers” we told Nancy we would be going over to Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream and be back in plenty of time.
Yummy! Was that ice cream good.
Went back to Corpus Christi. Pam said she was surprised that this parish was on our list and sort of echoed the concern Nancy had. When we got to the church the parking lot was full. But it wasn’t for us. They had daily mass.
During the potluck we did get a decent crowd of about 25. And, we had the parish’s three pastors in attendance. One was the retiring pastor, Fr. Lonegan who served both Corpus Christi and Sacred Heart parishes. The other was the new pastor, Fr. Jay and the other was Fr. Campion. We also had a visit from Fr. Stephen. So we had four priests at the beginning of our presentation. Hadn’t had that happen preciously.
The presentation went well and we engaged with the participants quite frequently. I could tell Nancy was pleased because she was smiling as we ended. She came over and was impressed with the turnout and our message. Nice how the Holy Spirit works His ways.
It was a great end to our presentations for the week. We took home some goodies and packed up and headed for Holy Family.
Unfortunately we found out that Fr. Terry was a bit indisposed with some health issues and would not be joining us tonight as we would all gather for a little celebration of Fr. Stephen’s 44th birthday.
We got to Holy Family slightly ahead of the others coming from St. Patrick’s.
We put the bikes away for safety and went to our assigned rooms. It was quite stifling from the heat of the day but we suffered through it.
Rob DeSesa also joined us this night. He would ride with us on Tuesday to the finale in Waterbury.
A pretty nice day of sharing and we finally ha a chance to be together as a group and tell some stories, laugh, and relax together. Although it was hot, everyone stayed around until they realized we had to get some rest for tomorrow. I will remember this ride to some degree because of the trials and tribulations of Claire. She sure had some stories. So glad she joined us on the ride. She hung in there even when the hills pulled her down.
Pedal or ……., Pedal or ……….
Lou
BTC 2010 Journal Day 4 – Bethlehem to Hamden to New Milford
We left the Church of the Nativity, after breakfasting at our respective host families homes, as early as possible so that there would be time for the bikers to ride into Church of the Ascension in Hamden. Well, as things sometimes happen, we never had an opportunity to get on our bikes and rode in the support vehicles all the way to Hamden.
As it was, we arrived at the church as the 9:00 mass was just ending and parishioners were filing into the coffee and donut time after mass.
John Ryan quickly got the presentation set up but we could not get the remote slide changer to work (batteries). So we presented the old fashion way using our fingers to do the pointing.
We were pleasantly surprised by the number of folks who attended our presentation. This would be a reoccurring trend for the week.
We had revised our presentation so that we could complete it within the timeframe allowed between their 9:00 and 11:00 masses. We actually did what we had to do in 42 minutes!! Everyone who spoke did so in a focused manner and right on point. One of our better presentations if you ask me.
Afterwards we had some good dialogue with some of the participants who stayed for the presentation and they shared some interesting comments. This one couple shared how some of their friends are so oblivious to the poverty situation. One person they told us about was a lawyer friend who could not believe that people in poverty weren’t there through no fault but their own, that there wasn’t any systemic problem. Complete blinders. It’s just that there are people out there who do not want to “see” or choose not to “see”. We were grateful for this sharing and many provided positive feedback to our presentation.
It just seemed more people were being responsive to what we had to say than in other years.
We left the Church of the Ascension fully charged yet knowing there would be some challenging hills ahead.
First thing we hit was Hill Street. What does that tell you? Any street or road or lane or avenue with the word “hill” in it tells you it ain’t flat.
Granted that sometimes it could be a down hill which we all thoroughly enjoy.
Well it seemed there were more up hill hills than down and they were a bit hard to climb. I got off my bike again even if it was for a short bit. Seemed like a couple of hills were real killers. Names like Gaylord Mountain Road, Towantic Hill Road, Jacks Hill Road.
When we approached Southbury we had an opportunity to again bike on Poverty Road. We decided not to do so. Once you have been on Poverty Road you really do not want to do it again!
We picked up Tom in Southbury and continued the ride to St. Francis Xavier. Time was running short and it was doubtful we would make it on our bikes. So sooner than later we were asked to get in the cars.
We drove into New Milford and St. Xavier’s. Around the back of the church Deb Zahn welcomed us and led us over to her house where we would all shower and get ready for mass.
It was an adventure driving up those hills to Deb’s house. We were supposed to go up them same hills the next morning. None of us knew that as we drove over to Deb’s house.
Her house was beautiful with several showers and a nice pool where several of us took advantage of a quick dip.
Since we had already gone to mass earlier we decided we would venture back to the church in time to set up and partake in the potluck.
After a bit of relaxing, we headed over and arrived as mass ended and had a wonderful meal. Many of us sat with the parishioners and shared stories. At our table, Denise shared her story openly. She had been homeless and had to visit food pantries and the shelter. Se had some physical problems and needed hip replacement surgery and had to rely on her family for support but she was really too proud to ask for help. That is why she would up in the shelter and having to go to the food pantry. So she knew what it meant to be in poverty. But here she was after pulling herself up and out and wanting to give something back. She still had difficulties in her life but wanted to hear what we had to say. She took my card and said she would reach out to the Episcopal church in the area to try and set up a visit. She was quite a lady. I think most people at our table very shocked as she revealed her story so openly.
We presented this night to an audience that included many teenagers. The reaction and interaction was quite good. After we were done a young lady approached me with some difficulty speaking. I had thought that she was choked up after my Jesus story but it was more than that. She asked if we had ever presented in Bristol. I indicated we had. She began to cry and wail a bit and said that she thinks she saw a photo of her mom among the images we used in our presentation of those who can be in poverty, you and me. We replayed that portion of the slide presentation and she pointed out the photo. She cried even harder. This was her birth mom who she had not seen from what I understand for a long time. This young lady had been adopted by a family in New Milford after being in four other homes. So, the picture of her mom was overwhelming to her. They asked if I could send the photo. I said I would dig it out and do so. The young lady gave me her email address.
We then gathered to get our host family assignments. This year would be the year of the host families.
We then all left to be reunited in the morning at the church for breakfast and departure to Collinsville and Wethersfield.
The Lord blessed us again with good weather and safe riding and meeting good people.
Lou
As it was, we arrived at the church as the 9:00 mass was just ending and parishioners were filing into the coffee and donut time after mass.
John Ryan quickly got the presentation set up but we could not get the remote slide changer to work (batteries). So we presented the old fashion way using our fingers to do the pointing.
We were pleasantly surprised by the number of folks who attended our presentation. This would be a reoccurring trend for the week.
We had revised our presentation so that we could complete it within the timeframe allowed between their 9:00 and 11:00 masses. We actually did what we had to do in 42 minutes!! Everyone who spoke did so in a focused manner and right on point. One of our better presentations if you ask me.
Afterwards we had some good dialogue with some of the participants who stayed for the presentation and they shared some interesting comments. This one couple shared how some of their friends are so oblivious to the poverty situation. One person they told us about was a lawyer friend who could not believe that people in poverty weren’t there through no fault but their own, that there wasn’t any systemic problem. Complete blinders. It’s just that there are people out there who do not want to “see” or choose not to “see”. We were grateful for this sharing and many provided positive feedback to our presentation.
It just seemed more people were being responsive to what we had to say than in other years.
We left the Church of the Ascension fully charged yet knowing there would be some challenging hills ahead.
First thing we hit was Hill Street. What does that tell you? Any street or road or lane or avenue with the word “hill” in it tells you it ain’t flat.
Granted that sometimes it could be a down hill which we all thoroughly enjoy.
Well it seemed there were more up hill hills than down and they were a bit hard to climb. I got off my bike again even if it was for a short bit. Seemed like a couple of hills were real killers. Names like Gaylord Mountain Road, Towantic Hill Road, Jacks Hill Road.
When we approached Southbury we had an opportunity to again bike on Poverty Road. We decided not to do so. Once you have been on Poverty Road you really do not want to do it again!
We picked up Tom in Southbury and continued the ride to St. Francis Xavier. Time was running short and it was doubtful we would make it on our bikes. So sooner than later we were asked to get in the cars.
We drove into New Milford and St. Xavier’s. Around the back of the church Deb Zahn welcomed us and led us over to her house where we would all shower and get ready for mass.
It was an adventure driving up those hills to Deb’s house. We were supposed to go up them same hills the next morning. None of us knew that as we drove over to Deb’s house.
Her house was beautiful with several showers and a nice pool where several of us took advantage of a quick dip.
Since we had already gone to mass earlier we decided we would venture back to the church in time to set up and partake in the potluck.
After a bit of relaxing, we headed over and arrived as mass ended and had a wonderful meal. Many of us sat with the parishioners and shared stories. At our table, Denise shared her story openly. She had been homeless and had to visit food pantries and the shelter. Se had some physical problems and needed hip replacement surgery and had to rely on her family for support but she was really too proud to ask for help. That is why she would up in the shelter and having to go to the food pantry. So she knew what it meant to be in poverty. But here she was after pulling herself up and out and wanting to give something back. She still had difficulties in her life but wanted to hear what we had to say. She took my card and said she would reach out to the Episcopal church in the area to try and set up a visit. She was quite a lady. I think most people at our table very shocked as she revealed her story so openly.
We presented this night to an audience that included many teenagers. The reaction and interaction was quite good. After we were done a young lady approached me with some difficulty speaking. I had thought that she was choked up after my Jesus story but it was more than that. She asked if we had ever presented in Bristol. I indicated we had. She began to cry and wail a bit and said that she thinks she saw a photo of her mom among the images we used in our presentation of those who can be in poverty, you and me. We replayed that portion of the slide presentation and she pointed out the photo. She cried even harder. This was her birth mom who she had not seen from what I understand for a long time. This young lady had been adopted by a family in New Milford after being in four other homes. So, the picture of her mom was overwhelming to her. They asked if I could send the photo. I said I would dig it out and do so. The young lady gave me her email address.
We then gathered to get our host family assignments. This year would be the year of the host families.
We then all left to be reunited in the morning at the church for breakfast and departure to Collinsville and Wethersfield.
The Lord blessed us again with good weather and safe riding and meeting good people.
Lou
Reflections from a New Biker
Reflections from a new biker………….
Hi Team: I felt compelled to write about this experience from a new rider's perspective. ....and thank you for an awesome spin into new hills and valleys. Love, Claire
So what is it that would make someone take vacation time to be with a group of people that she doesn’t know well, biking on a bike just purchased in April, to go to some of the lowest income areas in Connecticut? Really, there is nothing rational about this decision but a response to an invitation, and a spiritual prompting.
The days before the ride were very anxious for me. Could I actually do this? I am not exactly young, I did not have time to train the way one should probably train, I had fallen once and that was not an event I wanted to repeat. Many people were cheering for me including the Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry, the Nutrition Team at CT Children’s, the folks at St. Elizabeth Seton, my kids and most importantly my husband, Rich. I did not want to let them down, nor did I personally want to fail.
Those who have lived with me know that I am totally dysfunctional in the morning. So, to think that I could get up at 5:00 AM to be at St. Bridget’s by 7:00 AM , to start riding soon after was in itself a grandiose miracle.
Seeing everyone in the green, white and orange shirts made me feel part of the group. We started off, my heart was pounding, not from biking but from profound fear. Those first moments are a bit of a blur…..what gear to be in, can I keep up? was it Pam behind me encouraging me?...watch the glass, the pot holes, the cars…why am I panting so much? Is my heart ok? What is my pulse? Have I used up all my glycogen? Am I totally out of my mind? Frankly, it was all about me and I was having a field day in my head examining my response to the first few miles.
In a while, we passed the SAG(supplies and gear) wagon and they yelled out, we are so proud of you. I wanted to cry and I think I did. I felt the love. But you really can’t cry and ride so I talked myself out of it and kept going. Then the hills began and I felt myself empty of energy, felt my lungs expand beyond what I thought they could and felt the doubt of whether I could do this. Then I saw the sign for Coventry. That is where my parents lived their last years and memories just flooded my mind. Under my breath, I said….mom, dad…can you believe I biked to Coventry? Remember when I told you it was so far to Coventry and why did you live so far from me. I felt sad that I had not visited them more and began to cry again. Biking does not really allow you to stay in a morose state as you need to attend to the next hill.
The flowers are just so beautiful as you bike along. Tiger lilies, flax, Russian sage, orange, blue, purple just whizzing past your vision….sun shining, very hot, now shady, now passing over a stream and a chill is in the air…so refreshing.
When we finally got to Willimantic, the experience changed for me. Just for history purposes for those who don’t know me, I have always been justice minded by serving on boards, serving food at soup kitchens, advising on what programs are needed and how could they be funded and donating. I have always stood safely on the perimeter. But in Willimantic we began to get “up close and personal”. We stood outside the Soup Kitchen and talked to Dave. He said he got some income from canning. I thought he worked at a cannery, canning tomatoes or something like that. Then I learned that someone like Dave cannot get a job and canning means collecting cans. He described how he walks about town, searching for cans on the roadside and in dumpsters. There are good days and bad. He described his weight loss from his constant need to walk just to get a minimal income. He talked about a long walk to a local park as he had heard that there were baseball games there and people probably left lots of cans. He made it to the park but there was no game that day…..a wasted walk. I thought to myself, why wouldn’t he have checked the newspaper and remembered that poor people don’t get the newspaper every day as I do. He described how there are canning territories and if you go to someone else’s territory there can be violence. I began to understand the energy and drive it takes just to get through the day. I think I understand why poor people just give up. When I tired on the bike ride, there was always the sag wagon pulling up and an offer to put my bike on the rack and jump in. There I was engulfed in air conditioning, offering of snacks, lots of encouragement and a ride to the top. I was able to opt out when the going got tough…those in poverty have few advocates and little opportunity to opt out.
When we joined the others at the table in the soup kitchen I listened to their stories. These are people who have encountered bad times due to unexpected circumstances, emotional issues that don’t allow them to recover a baseline existence, illness. We met a gentleman who had worked for the State Dept. of Education for 17 years and now has diagnosed alzhiemer’s disease. Without support, it is impossible to figure out how to lift himself from this poverty existence. I was humbled by all of this and realized how easy it is to judge another person when you really know nothing about them. Beneath the unshaven faces, I saw the dignity and face of Jesus in each of them.
The Willimantic experience changed the bike ride for me. I realized that it was really not about me and my biking expertise, it was about encountering others. Being at the back of the pack, pedaling at what was my absolute max, knowing that the rest of team were probably wishing I could go a lot faster was a poverty experience for me. I was emptied of all that I had and filled it with the love I felt on the team, the generosity that I received from the support team and the hospitality that we received at each stop.
And on the day after the ride, I still feel myself pedaling and feel the motion forward. I do not want to forget this, I want to move forward, I want to help.
Claire
Hi Team: I felt compelled to write about this experience from a new rider's perspective. ....and thank you for an awesome spin into new hills and valleys. Love, Claire
So what is it that would make someone take vacation time to be with a group of people that she doesn’t know well, biking on a bike just purchased in April, to go to some of the lowest income areas in Connecticut? Really, there is nothing rational about this decision but a response to an invitation, and a spiritual prompting.
The days before the ride were very anxious for me. Could I actually do this? I am not exactly young, I did not have time to train the way one should probably train, I had fallen once and that was not an event I wanted to repeat. Many people were cheering for me including the Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry, the Nutrition Team at CT Children’s, the folks at St. Elizabeth Seton, my kids and most importantly my husband, Rich. I did not want to let them down, nor did I personally want to fail.
Those who have lived with me know that I am totally dysfunctional in the morning. So, to think that I could get up at 5:00 AM to be at St. Bridget’s by 7:00 AM , to start riding soon after was in itself a grandiose miracle.
Seeing everyone in the green, white and orange shirts made me feel part of the group. We started off, my heart was pounding, not from biking but from profound fear. Those first moments are a bit of a blur…..what gear to be in, can I keep up? was it Pam behind me encouraging me?...watch the glass, the pot holes, the cars…why am I panting so much? Is my heart ok? What is my pulse? Have I used up all my glycogen? Am I totally out of my mind? Frankly, it was all about me and I was having a field day in my head examining my response to the first few miles.
In a while, we passed the SAG(supplies and gear) wagon and they yelled out, we are so proud of you. I wanted to cry and I think I did. I felt the love. But you really can’t cry and ride so I talked myself out of it and kept going. Then the hills began and I felt myself empty of energy, felt my lungs expand beyond what I thought they could and felt the doubt of whether I could do this. Then I saw the sign for Coventry. That is where my parents lived their last years and memories just flooded my mind. Under my breath, I said….mom, dad…can you believe I biked to Coventry? Remember when I told you it was so far to Coventry and why did you live so far from me. I felt sad that I had not visited them more and began to cry again. Biking does not really allow you to stay in a morose state as you need to attend to the next hill.
The flowers are just so beautiful as you bike along. Tiger lilies, flax, Russian sage, orange, blue, purple just whizzing past your vision….sun shining, very hot, now shady, now passing over a stream and a chill is in the air…so refreshing.
When we finally got to Willimantic, the experience changed for me. Just for history purposes for those who don’t know me, I have always been justice minded by serving on boards, serving food at soup kitchens, advising on what programs are needed and how could they be funded and donating. I have always stood safely on the perimeter. But in Willimantic we began to get “up close and personal”. We stood outside the Soup Kitchen and talked to Dave. He said he got some income from canning. I thought he worked at a cannery, canning tomatoes or something like that. Then I learned that someone like Dave cannot get a job and canning means collecting cans. He described how he walks about town, searching for cans on the roadside and in dumpsters. There are good days and bad. He described his weight loss from his constant need to walk just to get a minimal income. He talked about a long walk to a local park as he had heard that there were baseball games there and people probably left lots of cans. He made it to the park but there was no game that day…..a wasted walk. I thought to myself, why wouldn’t he have checked the newspaper and remembered that poor people don’t get the newspaper every day as I do. He described how there are canning territories and if you go to someone else’s territory there can be violence. I began to understand the energy and drive it takes just to get through the day. I think I understand why poor people just give up. When I tired on the bike ride, there was always the sag wagon pulling up and an offer to put my bike on the rack and jump in. There I was engulfed in air conditioning, offering of snacks, lots of encouragement and a ride to the top. I was able to opt out when the going got tough…those in poverty have few advocates and little opportunity to opt out.
When we joined the others at the table in the soup kitchen I listened to their stories. These are people who have encountered bad times due to unexpected circumstances, emotional issues that don’t allow them to recover a baseline existence, illness. We met a gentleman who had worked for the State Dept. of Education for 17 years and now has diagnosed alzhiemer’s disease. Without support, it is impossible to figure out how to lift himself from this poverty existence. I was humbled by all of this and realized how easy it is to judge another person when you really know nothing about them. Beneath the unshaven faces, I saw the dignity and face of Jesus in each of them.
The Willimantic experience changed the bike ride for me. I realized that it was really not about me and my biking expertise, it was about encountering others. Being at the back of the pack, pedaling at what was my absolute max, knowing that the rest of team were probably wishing I could go a lot faster was a poverty experience for me. I was emptied of all that I had and filled it with the love I felt on the team, the generosity that I received from the support team and the hospitality that we received at each stop.
And on the day after the ride, I still feel myself pedaling and feel the motion forward. I do not want to forget this, I want to move forward, I want to help.
Claire
BTC 2010 Journal Day 3 – Manchester to Bethlehem
We started out from St. Bridget at 8:30. Everyone was again excited to begin but also a bit concerned about the hills we would encounter this day. We had seven bikers and our usual support of six.
Today we would be riding all day. No poverty centers today. The ride was too long. A 48 miles day lay ahead.
The ride into Hartford was quite nice except for the bus that kept getting in front of us or stopping and forcing us into the middle of the road on Silver Lane. Other than that, the traffic was not a problem this Saturday morning.
The ride through Hartford went on Asylum Avenue and Farmington Avenue without any problem. We tried to engage with people as much as we could.
As we got out of West Hartford and started to get into Farmington and into Unionville, we noticed that the hills started to pop up more often. On one hill I popped my chain several times and couldn’t get up the hill. I was stuck between gears. Bob offered to assist me up the hill but I finally got my chain on properly and proceeded up the hill. This hill was only the beginning.
Some of us remember this from last year especially the big downhill on US 6 into Thomaston. We did stop for ice cream at the same shop we had done previously. Bob was trying to get the US Soccer team World Cup score but to no avail.
After having some delicious ice cream and using their facilities, we headed up that long climbing hill. Steady as she goes.
I was amazed at Claire and he determination to get up those hills. She had already accomplished riding the most miles in a day and now she was conquering them hills.
Coming through Watertown was a bit difficult because of the hills. Even taking it easier did not seem to help. I guess it just comes with the territory.
We stayed on Route 6 for a long time with consistent hills up and down. I kept hearing that mantra that Bishop Peter told us to chant as we climbed those difficult hills. For each pedal stroke, think of the poor. You are struggling for a brief time, those in poverty struggle on a 24/7 basis. We thought about it a lot today.
One of the tougher hills was Magnolia Hill road. I was off my bike for a short bit as was Doug. I knew I was in trouble when I saw how difficult it was for Johnnie F and Doug to climb. Wow!
Doug broke a spoke he was putting so much pressure on his wheels. He would up riding John Ryan’s bike since John and Claire had gotten into the van. It was fortunate that they had compatible clip in pedals. Funny how John didn’t mind not riding the rest of this day and the next.
After more hills which included some sweet down hills followed by some wicked up hills, hills that abruptly went from down to up so fast it was impossible to down shift to the right gear.
We finally made it to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We were warmly greeted by Bette Roche who I had communicated with via email at least 25 times in order to solidify this visit.
We were assigned to our host families in order to go off and shower and return for 5:00 mass. Joan and I stayed at the rectory. Kelly and Dave stayed to help set up for dinner and the presentation. They would be going home tonight after dinner. I thanked them both for their time and support for the two and three days they devoted to BTC. I love those guys.
I went over to the rectory with Fr. Joe Looney and he showed me to the room Joan and I would stay in. He had to get ready for mass and I rushed to shower. Joan was on her way as she did nt do support this day but was on her way to Church of the Nativity. She would get there during dinner. Dave and Kelly would be taking our car back to Manchester.
Mass was wonderful and Fr. Joe welcomed us formally and tied his homily to our visit and stressed our commitment to Christ’s mission. He especially stressed the 48 miles we rode that day. I smiled during mass a lot because of his comments.
We had great food served by members of the family and we all engaged different folks during dinner. I met a nice family and got to give their 7 year old son a BTC water bottle. They were appreciative.
We presented within an hour and had a very responsive group of a bout 25 or so. The presentation went smoothly and we thought better than most.
The morning was set up where the host families would provide breakfast for the team. Joan and I shared that time with Fr. Joe. He was quite happy to have guests and someone to talk to since he lives alone. We enjoyed sharing time with him.
Bette is his right hand person and helps “run” the parish with 500 families.
She and the host families sent us off in our support vehicles with big smiles and appreciation for our visit.
Lou
Today we would be riding all day. No poverty centers today. The ride was too long. A 48 miles day lay ahead.
The ride into Hartford was quite nice except for the bus that kept getting in front of us or stopping and forcing us into the middle of the road on Silver Lane. Other than that, the traffic was not a problem this Saturday morning.
The ride through Hartford went on Asylum Avenue and Farmington Avenue without any problem. We tried to engage with people as much as we could.
As we got out of West Hartford and started to get into Farmington and into Unionville, we noticed that the hills started to pop up more often. On one hill I popped my chain several times and couldn’t get up the hill. I was stuck between gears. Bob offered to assist me up the hill but I finally got my chain on properly and proceeded up the hill. This hill was only the beginning.
Some of us remember this from last year especially the big downhill on US 6 into Thomaston. We did stop for ice cream at the same shop we had done previously. Bob was trying to get the US Soccer team World Cup score but to no avail.
After having some delicious ice cream and using their facilities, we headed up that long climbing hill. Steady as she goes.
I was amazed at Claire and he determination to get up those hills. She had already accomplished riding the most miles in a day and now she was conquering them hills.
Coming through Watertown was a bit difficult because of the hills. Even taking it easier did not seem to help. I guess it just comes with the territory.
We stayed on Route 6 for a long time with consistent hills up and down. I kept hearing that mantra that Bishop Peter told us to chant as we climbed those difficult hills. For each pedal stroke, think of the poor. You are struggling for a brief time, those in poverty struggle on a 24/7 basis. We thought about it a lot today.
One of the tougher hills was Magnolia Hill road. I was off my bike for a short bit as was Doug. I knew I was in trouble when I saw how difficult it was for Johnnie F and Doug to climb. Wow!
Doug broke a spoke he was putting so much pressure on his wheels. He would up riding John Ryan’s bike since John and Claire had gotten into the van. It was fortunate that they had compatible clip in pedals. Funny how John didn’t mind not riding the rest of this day and the next.
After more hills which included some sweet down hills followed by some wicked up hills, hills that abruptly went from down to up so fast it was impossible to down shift to the right gear.
We finally made it to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We were warmly greeted by Bette Roche who I had communicated with via email at least 25 times in order to solidify this visit.
We were assigned to our host families in order to go off and shower and return for 5:00 mass. Joan and I stayed at the rectory. Kelly and Dave stayed to help set up for dinner and the presentation. They would be going home tonight after dinner. I thanked them both for their time and support for the two and three days they devoted to BTC. I love those guys.
I went over to the rectory with Fr. Joe Looney and he showed me to the room Joan and I would stay in. He had to get ready for mass and I rushed to shower. Joan was on her way as she did nt do support this day but was on her way to Church of the Nativity. She would get there during dinner. Dave and Kelly would be taking our car back to Manchester.
Mass was wonderful and Fr. Joe welcomed us formally and tied his homily to our visit and stressed our commitment to Christ’s mission. He especially stressed the 48 miles we rode that day. I smiled during mass a lot because of his comments.
We had great food served by members of the family and we all engaged different folks during dinner. I met a nice family and got to give their 7 year old son a BTC water bottle. They were appreciative.
We presented within an hour and had a very responsive group of a bout 25 or so. The presentation went smoothly and we thought better than most.
The morning was set up where the host families would provide breakfast for the team. Joan and I shared that time with Fr. Joe. He was quite happy to have guests and someone to talk to since he lives alone. We enjoyed sharing time with him.
Bette is his right hand person and helps “run” the parish with 500 families.
She and the host families sent us off in our support vehicles with big smiles and appreciation for our visit.
Lou
BTC 2010 Journal Day 2 – Hebron to Hartford
We started our day with a nice pancake breakfast at out host family’s home.
We then headed over to St. Peter’s. We were supposed to gather and leave for Hartford by no later than 7:00 am. It didn’t happen.
Anne showed up the night before but was still under the weather. This morning he decided not to ride again as she was still feeling a bit weak. She would help with support.
After everyone arrived, we decided that we would split up. We had to be at John Larson’s office by 9:00 to meet with John Rossi.
Johnnie F, Tom and I departed around 7:40 and hustled our butts to try and get there on time. We had to meet Charlie at the founders bridge. Dave and Anne drove support for us. We hustled and got to Hartford by 9:05.
The others rode at their pace and headed over to a place called the Retreat which was a pilot assisted living program only 5 years old. This was connected with CRT, the Community Renewal Team heade up by Nancy Pappas. She worked out the details of the visit with Pam.
At John Larson’s office we met with John Rossi and three college interns who admitted being oblivious to poverty on campus. We think there is an opportunity on college campuses to open their eyes.
The visit with John Rossi went well and he was again prepared for our visit. He had some hand outs and advised us of some of the programs the Obama administration was putting in place to end homelessness.
He also discussed the rapid transit bus lines that were being implemented in CT and the rail service being considered fom New haven to Hartford to Springfield. These rapid transit facilities would be quite beneficial for lower income folks to get them to their places of employment. As everyone knows this is sometimes a stumbling block for individuals access to good jobs. A rapid transit system offers a means to help pull themselves out of poverty.
All in all our visit to Larson’s office was informative and it appeared there was a lot going on in Congress. The deficit is definitely the biggest item being discussed. Anything that would increase the deficit is going to have a difficult time passing through Congress, especially on the Senate side. We have a difficult battle brewing.
Charlie, Johnnie, Tom and I then went over to the Retreat building and joined the tour that was being held for the other part of our team. What a positive assisted type living facility. Nothing like it is the US. It was a very positive, health program for the elderly and kept them oput of a Nursing Home which depleted them of their assets. This program does not and actually helps them hold on to the assets. You really could see the positive in the demeanor of those folks we saw living in the building. We even got a tour of one clients apartment and she was glad to let us see her “home”.
We asked what we could do and were told to request more of these pilot programs be instituted. What a huge difference that would make. Avoiding a Nursing Home seems like such a good thing. We left there with a lot of hope for the future.
We then biked over to the shelter connected with CRT, the Stuart McKinney Shelter for men. What a well run clean Shelter. Nancy brought us over but we were provided with the inner working by Jose. He really educated us on the life within the shelter. W met one of the volunteers, Alex Mobley who was a budding poet. Jose was encouraging Alex to publish his poems Alex read many of them off the top of his head and later showed us his written.
We had lunch at this shelter and again the food was surprisingly good. Only a few clients were around as the men must leave the shelter during the day. They come back at night Jose has bee there for 13 years and loves his job. He also mentioned this job is not a job for wimps. We all got a chuckle out of that. We gave then a check donation as we did for the Covenant Soup Kitchen. Jose was quite happy.
After the Shelter we headed over to Dodd’s office and met with mark DeStephano for most likely he last time. We had a good conversation with him but with Senator Dodd on his way out Mark could not really say what position Senator Dodd had on some issues. But it was still a pleasant visit and we wished Mark well.
While waiting for Mark to greet us, two chiropractors came out of the other office due to their curiosity about our bikes. They seemed genuinely interested in what we do. I gave them each a card nd look forward to them possibly contacting me.
Because our last visit of the day was Lieberman’s office at 4:00, some left early for home as there was no presentation tonight. But while gathering outside of Dodd’s office Pam noticed Karen Kohl’s keys tucked in a corner of the steps leading to Dodd’s office. She was actually lucky to see them as we were about to leave when she looked back. Those of us who know Dave Kohl well just chalk this up as Dave being Dave. We called him and he was very happy!!
The others went to Starbucks for some coffee and a treat. Definitely needed at this point.
Those who stayed got to go over to Lieberman’s office and speak with Kathy Bass, his congressional aide. We expressed our concerns over the continuation of the EITC and the Child Tax Credit and tried to find out what Joe’s stance was on that. We also asked Kathy if she could find out what Senator Lieberman’s position was on the new defining of poverty guidelines as presented by the Dodd McDermitt bill.
Claire also brought up her concern about child obesity and requested the Senator’s position of that as well. Kathy was going to follow up on that and get back to us. She took a lot of notes and hopefully will get back to us.
Claire also mentioned someone on her staff who was losing their home and asked what could be done. Kathy asked a few questins and recommended this person contact their office. She felt they could be helpful.
This is exactly what Mark had said when Claire mentioned it to him earlier in the day.
While getting ready to leave for Manchester, a young African-American woman came over to talk to me about what we were doing and to possibly us connecting with St. Joseph’s college in some way. I gave her my card. Hopefully she will contact me.
Finally we all headed to Manchester where we would bed in our own homes, get a good night’s sleep and start out at 8:30 in the morning for Bethlehem.
Lou
We then headed over to St. Peter’s. We were supposed to gather and leave for Hartford by no later than 7:00 am. It didn’t happen.
Anne showed up the night before but was still under the weather. This morning he decided not to ride again as she was still feeling a bit weak. She would help with support.
After everyone arrived, we decided that we would split up. We had to be at John Larson’s office by 9:00 to meet with John Rossi.
Johnnie F, Tom and I departed around 7:40 and hustled our butts to try and get there on time. We had to meet Charlie at the founders bridge. Dave and Anne drove support for us. We hustled and got to Hartford by 9:05.
The others rode at their pace and headed over to a place called the Retreat which was a pilot assisted living program only 5 years old. This was connected with CRT, the Community Renewal Team heade up by Nancy Pappas. She worked out the details of the visit with Pam.
At John Larson’s office we met with John Rossi and three college interns who admitted being oblivious to poverty on campus. We think there is an opportunity on college campuses to open their eyes.
The visit with John Rossi went well and he was again prepared for our visit. He had some hand outs and advised us of some of the programs the Obama administration was putting in place to end homelessness.
He also discussed the rapid transit bus lines that were being implemented in CT and the rail service being considered fom New haven to Hartford to Springfield. These rapid transit facilities would be quite beneficial for lower income folks to get them to their places of employment. As everyone knows this is sometimes a stumbling block for individuals access to good jobs. A rapid transit system offers a means to help pull themselves out of poverty.
All in all our visit to Larson’s office was informative and it appeared there was a lot going on in Congress. The deficit is definitely the biggest item being discussed. Anything that would increase the deficit is going to have a difficult time passing through Congress, especially on the Senate side. We have a difficult battle brewing.
Charlie, Johnnie, Tom and I then went over to the Retreat building and joined the tour that was being held for the other part of our team. What a positive assisted type living facility. Nothing like it is the US. It was a very positive, health program for the elderly and kept them oput of a Nursing Home which depleted them of their assets. This program does not and actually helps them hold on to the assets. You really could see the positive in the demeanor of those folks we saw living in the building. We even got a tour of one clients apartment and she was glad to let us see her “home”.
We asked what we could do and were told to request more of these pilot programs be instituted. What a huge difference that would make. Avoiding a Nursing Home seems like such a good thing. We left there with a lot of hope for the future.
We then biked over to the shelter connected with CRT, the Stuart McKinney Shelter for men. What a well run clean Shelter. Nancy brought us over but we were provided with the inner working by Jose. He really educated us on the life within the shelter. W met one of the volunteers, Alex Mobley who was a budding poet. Jose was encouraging Alex to publish his poems Alex read many of them off the top of his head and later showed us his written.
We had lunch at this shelter and again the food was surprisingly good. Only a few clients were around as the men must leave the shelter during the day. They come back at night Jose has bee there for 13 years and loves his job. He also mentioned this job is not a job for wimps. We all got a chuckle out of that. We gave then a check donation as we did for the Covenant Soup Kitchen. Jose was quite happy.
After the Shelter we headed over to Dodd’s office and met with mark DeStephano for most likely he last time. We had a good conversation with him but with Senator Dodd on his way out Mark could not really say what position Senator Dodd had on some issues. But it was still a pleasant visit and we wished Mark well.
While waiting for Mark to greet us, two chiropractors came out of the other office due to their curiosity about our bikes. They seemed genuinely interested in what we do. I gave them each a card nd look forward to them possibly contacting me.
Because our last visit of the day was Lieberman’s office at 4:00, some left early for home as there was no presentation tonight. But while gathering outside of Dodd’s office Pam noticed Karen Kohl’s keys tucked in a corner of the steps leading to Dodd’s office. She was actually lucky to see them as we were about to leave when she looked back. Those of us who know Dave Kohl well just chalk this up as Dave being Dave. We called him and he was very happy!!
The others went to Starbucks for some coffee and a treat. Definitely needed at this point.
Those who stayed got to go over to Lieberman’s office and speak with Kathy Bass, his congressional aide. We expressed our concerns over the continuation of the EITC and the Child Tax Credit and tried to find out what Joe’s stance was on that. We also asked Kathy if she could find out what Senator Lieberman’s position was on the new defining of poverty guidelines as presented by the Dodd McDermitt bill.
Claire also brought up her concern about child obesity and requested the Senator’s position of that as well. Kathy was going to follow up on that and get back to us. She took a lot of notes and hopefully will get back to us.
Claire also mentioned someone on her staff who was losing their home and asked what could be done. Kathy asked a few questins and recommended this person contact their office. She felt they could be helpful.
This is exactly what Mark had said when Claire mentioned it to him earlier in the day.
While getting ready to leave for Manchester, a young African-American woman came over to talk to me about what we were doing and to possibly us connecting with St. Joseph’s college in some way. I gave her my card. Hopefully she will contact me.
Finally we all headed to Manchester where we would bed in our own homes, get a good night’s sleep and start out at 8:30 in the morning for Bethlehem.
Lou
BTC Journal Day 1 – Manchester to Willimantic to Hebron
We all began to gather at St. Bridget’s on our decided time of 7:00 am. I (Lou) met up with Bob as I biked over. We were the first to arrive.
One by one we came. First a few support folks then each biker arrived eager to begin this year’s ride. First time rider, Claire Dalidowitz didn’t know what to expect but was ready.
Everyone packed their overnight bags and each Support vehicle was stocked with Gatorade and snacks. Bikers prepared heir bikes, pumping up their tires and remembering what they had to bring.
Finally it was time to leave. Fr. Stephen provided our send of blessing and we were off. We headed to Willimantic through Manchester streets and got on 44, biked past Shady Glen and picked up route 85. Route 85 was taken to Route 6. A few fast downhills added to the morning’s excitement.
It was hot and humid. Again that thought of discomfort we felt but it made us think of those in poverty who feel that discomfort everyday. We were only going to feel it for a day here and there.
We biked along route 6 without incident thinking about last year’s trip and what happened along route 6 as we ventured to Willimantic and St. Joseph’s church. Nothing like that happened this day.
We made our way to the Windham Willimantic Child Care & Family Development DayCare and as we pulled in the kids were all excited. “Here come the bikers!!” they shouted. We were warmly welcomed and Johnnie F introduced us all to the kids. These were little “guys” and we told them about the importance of wearing a helmet and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
Then we asked them if they wanted to “ride” one of our bikes. I offered my helmet and one by one each child came up to be hoisted up onto the bike and had their picture taken by one of the staff. It was perfect and each child seemed to really enjoy their “ride”.
When we completed that, I asked the kids if they wanted to ring the bell on my bike. Wow, what a response. It was actually difficult to get away as the staff tried hard to gather the children for their next activity.
We left with a bit of joy in our hearts. I think we all really enjoyed our visit.
We then pedaled over to WAIM, Windham Area Interfaith Ministry.
We received a warm greeting as we arrived and Linda Zaccare, the Case Manager for WAIM gave us a nice tour of the facility. We were all again educated about the good WAIM brings to he Windham area. Clients come, no questions asked and request things they need like household items, clothes, furniture.
WAIM services or helps around 7500 people each year. Donors pull up in the cars and unload various items. While we were there several cars did pull up full of items that would most likely help someone in need. The run WAIM quite efficiently. The tour was very educational.
We left WAIM around 11:30 ad headed over to the Habitat house that some of the BTC team worked on. It was nice to see the progress made and hear about the family that would be shortly moving in. This particular home was handicap accessible as the family had two disabled children. Kind of sad but also nice to see what living conditions they would have.
We then biked over to the Covenant Soup Kitchen and met with the clients there and had lunch with them. We had been there a few years ago and it appeared the numbers have not improved and actually have increased. We have seen and heard this over and over. With the economy being what it is, more people find themselves in need of using Soup Kitchens. Some of us were surprised by the number of children who accompanied their parents into the Soup Kitchen.
The food was excellent bt the stories we heard broke our hearts. One man we talked to, Dave, had just begun coming to the Soup Kitchen and it was difficult for him to share his story. He cried as he shared how he got there. He was running a General Store just a year ago, had a falling out and walked away from it. Little did he know he would be living in a tent and eating at a Soup Kitchen less tha a year later. He told us he would be receiving a pension check shortly and hoped the income form his pension would be enough for him to get his own place to live and pull himself out of his current situation. He was very distraught and your heart had to go out to him.
Claire and I also talked to a guy, Steve, who was homeless, living in a tent as well. He was quite upbeat for his situation but his attitude is what kept him going. He couldn’t get a job because he had no references. How did he get buy? He did “canning”. What is canning? You guessed it. He walked the streets of Willimantic collected bottles and cans. He said he averaged around $300 a week. Well that was a good week. He really benefitted from Eastern but now that school was closed he knew his “income” would go down. But he was managing. He asked us for a bike or if we could get him a bike. It dawned on me that I saw a relatively “new” mountain bike at WAIM. I advised Steve to go over right after lunch and ask for that bike. He was a bit reluctant to do so. I told him they would not judge him or ask any questions. I told him to mention our visit, gave him my card and name, and told him to ask for Linda. We hope he follows through on it. With a bike he could cover more territory faster.
You know, he told us the “canning” was competive and many were out her collecting. It was a first come first served thing so you really had to hassle. He did but has recently been robbed of $25 which is a lot of empty cans. That was something he was really bothered by because it happened right in the soup kitchen. Quite a sad thing but Steve seemed elated that we offered encouragement and a way for him to get the bike.
We left after a good lunch and a lot of sharing and listening to clients’ stories. We again became their voice. We would bring their stories to Hartford the next day as we spoke with our Federal legislators.
Finally we ended our visits at Holy Family shelter and Sister Peter sat us down and gave us the ;attest information on how much the Shelter was helping single women and their familes. It was an encouraging discussion. Sister Peter remarked about the good they were doing and we responded by telling her that we hoped some day she would be out of that job. Again we were educated in a way that would help us become more aware.
We began our rid to Hebron and St. Peter’s Episcopal church but first stopped at the Community Health organization office and ACCESS office and had a great conversation with Leigh Duffy from Generations Family Health Center about their programs and how we can engage with them at some future point. They do a lot of good offering Healthcare to low income folks.
We waited for the thunder storm to pass before riding over to St. Peter’s. It was not a bad ride over. A few hills but nothing too too difficult. Claire did get into a support vehicle as she had just completed the most miles ever for herself. She should be proud of what she did. We all were.
We got to St. Peter’s and Fr. Perry set us all up with our host families to go over and shower and then venture back to the church hall for a nice supper together.
Our presentation lasted just under an hour and from what feedback we received was greatly appreciated by those who were there. They participant were really into it and responsive to our questions. All in all I think we had a very successful first day.
We then all separated and went to the respective homes of our hosts and quickly retired to get ready for the next day.
Lou
One by one we came. First a few support folks then each biker arrived eager to begin this year’s ride. First time rider, Claire Dalidowitz didn’t know what to expect but was ready.
Everyone packed their overnight bags and each Support vehicle was stocked with Gatorade and snacks. Bikers prepared heir bikes, pumping up their tires and remembering what they had to bring.
Finally it was time to leave. Fr. Stephen provided our send of blessing and we were off. We headed to Willimantic through Manchester streets and got on 44, biked past Shady Glen and picked up route 85. Route 85 was taken to Route 6. A few fast downhills added to the morning’s excitement.
It was hot and humid. Again that thought of discomfort we felt but it made us think of those in poverty who feel that discomfort everyday. We were only going to feel it for a day here and there.
We biked along route 6 without incident thinking about last year’s trip and what happened along route 6 as we ventured to Willimantic and St. Joseph’s church. Nothing like that happened this day.
We made our way to the Windham Willimantic Child Care & Family Development DayCare and as we pulled in the kids were all excited. “Here come the bikers!!” they shouted. We were warmly welcomed and Johnnie F introduced us all to the kids. These were little “guys” and we told them about the importance of wearing a helmet and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
Then we asked them if they wanted to “ride” one of our bikes. I offered my helmet and one by one each child came up to be hoisted up onto the bike and had their picture taken by one of the staff. It was perfect and each child seemed to really enjoy their “ride”.
When we completed that, I asked the kids if they wanted to ring the bell on my bike. Wow, what a response. It was actually difficult to get away as the staff tried hard to gather the children for their next activity.
We left with a bit of joy in our hearts. I think we all really enjoyed our visit.
We then pedaled over to WAIM, Windham Area Interfaith Ministry.
We received a warm greeting as we arrived and Linda Zaccare, the Case Manager for WAIM gave us a nice tour of the facility. We were all again educated about the good WAIM brings to he Windham area. Clients come, no questions asked and request things they need like household items, clothes, furniture.
WAIM services or helps around 7500 people each year. Donors pull up in the cars and unload various items. While we were there several cars did pull up full of items that would most likely help someone in need. The run WAIM quite efficiently. The tour was very educational.
We left WAIM around 11:30 ad headed over to the Habitat house that some of the BTC team worked on. It was nice to see the progress made and hear about the family that would be shortly moving in. This particular home was handicap accessible as the family had two disabled children. Kind of sad but also nice to see what living conditions they would have.
We then biked over to the Covenant Soup Kitchen and met with the clients there and had lunch with them. We had been there a few years ago and it appeared the numbers have not improved and actually have increased. We have seen and heard this over and over. With the economy being what it is, more people find themselves in need of using Soup Kitchens. Some of us were surprised by the number of children who accompanied their parents into the Soup Kitchen.
The food was excellent bt the stories we heard broke our hearts. One man we talked to, Dave, had just begun coming to the Soup Kitchen and it was difficult for him to share his story. He cried as he shared how he got there. He was running a General Store just a year ago, had a falling out and walked away from it. Little did he know he would be living in a tent and eating at a Soup Kitchen less tha a year later. He told us he would be receiving a pension check shortly and hoped the income form his pension would be enough for him to get his own place to live and pull himself out of his current situation. He was very distraught and your heart had to go out to him.
Claire and I also talked to a guy, Steve, who was homeless, living in a tent as well. He was quite upbeat for his situation but his attitude is what kept him going. He couldn’t get a job because he had no references. How did he get buy? He did “canning”. What is canning? You guessed it. He walked the streets of Willimantic collected bottles and cans. He said he averaged around $300 a week. Well that was a good week. He really benefitted from Eastern but now that school was closed he knew his “income” would go down. But he was managing. He asked us for a bike or if we could get him a bike. It dawned on me that I saw a relatively “new” mountain bike at WAIM. I advised Steve to go over right after lunch and ask for that bike. He was a bit reluctant to do so. I told him they would not judge him or ask any questions. I told him to mention our visit, gave him my card and name, and told him to ask for Linda. We hope he follows through on it. With a bike he could cover more territory faster.
You know, he told us the “canning” was competive and many were out her collecting. It was a first come first served thing so you really had to hassle. He did but has recently been robbed of $25 which is a lot of empty cans. That was something he was really bothered by because it happened right in the soup kitchen. Quite a sad thing but Steve seemed elated that we offered encouragement and a way for him to get the bike.
We left after a good lunch and a lot of sharing and listening to clients’ stories. We again became their voice. We would bring their stories to Hartford the next day as we spoke with our Federal legislators.
Finally we ended our visits at Holy Family shelter and Sister Peter sat us down and gave us the ;attest information on how much the Shelter was helping single women and their familes. It was an encouraging discussion. Sister Peter remarked about the good they were doing and we responded by telling her that we hoped some day she would be out of that job. Again we were educated in a way that would help us become more aware.
We began our rid to Hebron and St. Peter’s Episcopal church but first stopped at the Community Health organization office and ACCESS office and had a great conversation with Leigh Duffy from Generations Family Health Center about their programs and how we can engage with them at some future point. They do a lot of good offering Healthcare to low income folks.
We waited for the thunder storm to pass before riding over to St. Peter’s. It was not a bad ride over. A few hills but nothing too too difficult. Claire did get into a support vehicle as she had just completed the most miles ever for herself. She should be proud of what she did. We all were.
We got to St. Peter’s and Fr. Perry set us all up with our host families to go over and shower and then venture back to the church hall for a nice supper together.
Our presentation lasted just under an hour and from what feedback we received was greatly appreciated by those who were there. They participant were really into it and responsive to our questions. All in all I think we had a very successful first day.
We then all separated and went to the respective homes of our hosts and quickly retired to get ready for the next day.
Lou
Brake the Cycle of Poverty Tour 6/24/2010 thru 6/29/2010
We began the our 2010 BTC bike tour of CT on Thusday 6/24/2010. Here are the journals for the six day ride plus a couple of reflections, one from Claire, a first timer, and one from veteran biker, Pam.
The Journals are my recollection of the six days.
Lou
The Journals are my recollection of the six days.
Lou
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