One of the qualities each person of the week shares with all the others is passion.
Sometimes that passion can be seen in their work and sometimes it's visible in what they do for others. Take Yvonne Rucker for example. She’s a cyclist who enjoys the comradery that can be found when riders get together.
“I love it because i can get enjoyment out of setting my goals. I can get enjoyment from conquering my goals.”
But she also loves children and helping them obtain their goals.
She’s combined her two passions with the youth program she’s founded. It’s called BikeVon and her goal it to introduce as many Detroit children as possible to competitive cycling.
“I found out there was an opportunity for youth as far as scholarships and a career in cycling.”
The sport is called track cycling and races are held on a track called a velodrome. There are currently only 30 velodromes in the US.
"We have one, which is in Bloomer Park. Kids come out and bikes are free. Shoes are free and the coaching is free.”
What's not free is getting kids from Detroit to Rochester Hills and back.
“Outside of one major contributor and small outside donations, this has been funded by my 401K.”
Funding BikeVon has been an uphill battle to say the least. Yvonne provides meals and transports the children and that can get quite expensive.
“Transportation costs; one bus ride, four hundred and 24-some odd dollars. They have to be out here four days a week for 67 sessions. That comes out to maybe about $24,000!”
Despite the challenges, BikeVon continues rolling right along. For three years now Yvonne has made sacrifices for children in the name of love with no signs of stopping.
“Right now, I’m only able to take three or four kids, but i know there are at least 20 kids that would come out here.”
Yvonne says what she needs now is a van or a shuttle bus which will allow her to take more kids. If you're interested in helping here’s a link to her website.
For nurturing the love of cycling in children, Yvonne Rucker you are our Person of the Week.
