“I Do This in Their Honor”: Cyclists Raise Awareness and Funds at Sixth Annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants

The Mission

On September 21, thirty members of the IINE community, including staff, board members, volunteers, and their families, donned custom jerseys, mounted their bikes, and set off for a morning of pedaling their hearts out to raise awareness and funds in support of IINE’s mission. 

The annual Ride for Refugees and Immigrants, which was created by IINE Leadership Council member Will Krause, brings together seasoned and novice riders, united by their desire to support our newest neighbors. For weeks leading up to this year’s big day, riders gathered donations from their personal networks, spreading the word about IINE’s work and raising critical funds to help refugees and immigrants access food, shelter, and healthcare, English language and job skills training, and immigration legal support.  
 
For many, this year’s Ride felt particularly urgent as dramatic changes in federal immigration policy have dealt new challenges to refugees and immigrants in our communities—but on the day, while engaged together in action and celebration, the riders were all smiles. 
 

The Routes

Riders chose between two routes: a 12-mile route that started at the Bike Source in Bedford, Massachusetts and ended at the Kickstand Café in Arlington, and a 50-mile loop that began and ended at the café with stops in Lowell to tour IINE’s office and in Bedford to link up with the 12-milers for the home stretch.  

Participants rode at their own paces with designated team leaders guiding the way. Riders’ branded jerseys provided an important visual reminder for everyone they passed that our communities support our refugee and immigrant neighbors.  

The Finish Line

In the early afternoon, the Kickstand Café buzzed with bike-riders as one wave after another reached the finish line. IINE staff members were there to cheer on each finisher, and snacks and refreshments awaited to help them recover and celebrate. Many riders lingered long after the dismount to cheer on fellow finishers and socialize.   

One common theme heard from first-time 50-milers, as they mopped their brows, was that it felt easy to push through any of the day’s physical challenges when they thought about the cause. The challenges refugees and immigrants face are incomparable—surviving crises in their countries of origin, leaving their homes and loved ones behind, starting over in an unfamiliar place with little more than a suitcase, navigating complicated and ever-changing immigration laws, and so much more. This is not only a story shared by IINE’s clients, but also a story that can be found in each rider’s family history, and one that made their own lives as Americans possible.  

This year’s Ride for Refugees and Immigrants raised more than $50,000 in much-needed support for IINE’s mission. A huge thank you to everyone who participated!   

IINE’s annual events raise critical funds for our refugee and immigrant community members. Learn more and join us for an upcoming event.