All Push America Team Events are now open to alumni. Alumni participation has greatly increased and has also added very strong and experienced leaders to our teams. Alumni are highly encouraged to participate in Push America’s Team Events.
How hard is the fund raising?
Raising thousands of dollars may be an incredible challenge, but it is possible!
If you are like 96% of our team members, you will raise a lot more than that!
Your friends and family will be inspired by what you are committing to do and more than happy
to provide you with support to reach your goals. Push America has the resources to
help you reach your goals - we just need team members willing to do the work.
How have team members raised their money in the past?
The average contribution is $25, meaning you need to ask almost everyone you
know in order to meet your fund-raising goals. The following areas have been
the most successful: Family and Friends, Civic Clubs, Local Businesses, Sororities,
Churches, and Fund-raising events.
Where do the teams eat?
Three meals are provided each day: two on the road and a sponsored dinner each
evening. You will eat some of the best meals of your life! Snacks are available
in the support vehicles during each day's ride.
Where do the teams stay?
The team stays in churches, high school gymnasiums or recreation centers. Push
America works to have hotel rooms donated as often as possible.
I'm putting myself through school or have a career, how can I afford
this or get time off?
Journey of Hope is an experience that you can't afford not to do! More than
half of the Journey of Hope Team Members have part-time jobs, some even full-time.
You have to plan ahead and save up some of your hard earned dollars so you can
participate in something that will change your life! Most employers are very
understanding when it comes to commitment to service, so ask early and get them
involved in your experience.
What kind of roadside support is provided?
Journey of Hope has a trained crew that is responsible for general roadside
support. The vehicles are set up every four to five miles so at any point in
time a cyclist is never more than 2.5 miles from assistance. Safety is the number
one priority on our teams.
How much training does it take?
Cycling across the country is extremely difficult. While you do not have to
be a serious cyclist to participate in Journey of Hope, you will have to train
hard to get in shape. The majority of past team members have never done any
serious cycling but upon acceptance, a strong training program must be followed
to prepare yourself for the ride.
What if I don't have a bike and have not been on one in years?
Most people who are accepted to Journey of Hope don't have a bike. There are
resources to help get you outfitted for your ride. Most team members have not
been on a bike since they were a kid either. If you get started right away,
you will have no problem getting in shape by orientation.
Is it safe cycling across the country?
Push America's Journey of Hope has trained crew members that are responsible
for general roadside support and coordinating the logistics of the program.
Each crew member is trained for specific responsibilities pertaining to the
program and has been certified in basic first aid and CPR. Safety is paramount
on the road. Each cyclist must have proficient skills upon arrival at orientation.
Each cyclist must wear a helmet! Failure to cycle in a safe manner or not wearing
a helmet may lead to dismissal from the team.
Can I be contacted in case of an emergency?
The team will have a voice mailbox where family members can leave messages in
case of emergency. The voice mailbox is checked daily by the Project Manager
and messages will be relayed to the team member. A list of emergency phone numbers
will also be provided before the summer so that family and friends will be able
to reach the team member at any point, if necessary.
Can I receive mail over the summer?
There will be scheduled mail drops on the Journey of Hope for family and friends
to send well wishes.
Can I be visited out on the road?
Meeting with family and friends along the route is encouraged. The Project Manager
must be notified at least 48 hours in advance of the visit by the team member.
