Attention bicyclists: get on your wheels and join BUILD Inc.’s peace ride in Austin on Sept. 7.
The event, which will get underway at 10 a.m. (with the ride starting at 11 a.m.), is expected to draw more than 100 participants. Advanced registration is encouraged.
“The purpose of the ride is to promote peace in the community and to provide something fun, positive and safe for the community,” said Martin Anguiano, BUILD’s director of community engagement.
He added, “This is one of my favorite events because it’s something that’s positive and is fun and safe for the entire family. The purpose of the event is very powerful.”
It’s also a way to bring awareness to gun violence and other things that are going on in the community, he said, adding, “As we ride, we have bullhorns and we’re chanting ‘What do we want?’ ‘Peace!’ ‘When do we want it!? ‘Now!’ As we’re riding everyone is going by and they’re looking at what we’re doing and so it brings awareness.”
Located at 5100 W. Harrison St., the nonprofit organization has been around since 1969, and has helped thousands of young people transform their lives. Annually it serves more than 6,500 youth and families with adult mentors and a variety of experiences in the arts, athletics, college and career preparation, entrepreneurship, leadership development, technology, and mental health programing, according to information provided by BUILD.
Following the bike ride, there will be music and refreshments and other activities.
BUILD collaborates with other organizations to provide resources.
“We look to those organizations that provide background-friendly employment,” Anguiano said. “I’m big on that because the young people that we work with have backgrounds and so they get turned down a lot of times because of their background. It’s not that the youth don’t want to work, it’s that once a background check is done, they end up losing the job.”
“We always meet people where they’re at,” he said. “We always try to never judge or criticize youth for their past. We look at the positives and try to build off what they tell us and provide opportunities and resources.”
That outreach can also include at times, providing support the youth may not be getting at home.
BUILD’s communications manager, Daniel Perez, said the organization also works with the 15th Chicago Police District on the logistics for the ride. Police officers also accompany the ride for safety reasons.
“The Ride for Peace came to fruition several years ago,” Perez explained. “It was based on getting out and exercising and creating healthy habits and then it turned into getting the community involved in coming and out and being present in the neighborhood. When we would ride through the neighborhood, folks in the community would get on their bikes and join us.”
“We try to inspire hope and offer opportunities,” Perez said.
The organization’s model blends restorative justice, conflict mediation, prevention, development, and behavioral health, and is designated an evidence-based Effective Program by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to information provided by BUILD.
For more information about the “We Ride for Peace for a safer Chicago!” meetup go to https://bit.ly/AustinRide to register.
Those who register are asked for their name and shirt size for the free T-shirt that will be provided for the ride.
For further information, contact Bradly K. Johnson, chief community officer, by email at bradlyjohnson@buildchicago.org, or call (773) 227-2880 or (773) 413-3811.
