Anyone who knows much about the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) knows Jerry Colley. For many years Jerry was the BRAG Ride Director; currently he is the CEO of BRAG. Jerry envisioned a BRAG program for underserved youth, giving young people a cycling experience that their circumstances normally would not allow. In my last post I explained how Atiba Mbiwan got involved with mentoring and coaching the Dream Team. Today Coach Atiba tells how Jerry's vision became reality:
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The
BRAG Dream Team started in 1994 as an Atlanta Public Schools cycling team. Originally, it was restricted to middle school students who trained for the annual Bicycle Ride
Across Georgia in June, but this model has evolved into a year-round
cycling program for middle and high school age youth across the state of
Georgia.
In
2011 the Dublin Dream Team came into being when six OCMA (Oconee Community
Mentoring Association) youth participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Century Ride
in Dublin. Their Coach, Chris Johnson, has helped the OCMA youth get
around the state for cycling rides, ranging from the Brownwood Bike Rally in
Atlanta (where the Dublin youth won several cycling awards) to BRAG (where a Dublin youth leader named Larry completed a century at the age of
12!).
In
2012 the Milledgeville Dream Team was formed by BRAG veterans – Doug Keith and
Joe Windish – who have partnered with staff from the area universities,
cyclists from the local bike club, and owners of the local bike shop.
After completing the April Fools Ride and the BRAG Spring Tune Up, the
Milledgeville Dream Team is preparing to participate in the 2013 BRAG
adventure.
The Madison Dream Team expressed interest in the spring of 2012. They had one training ride at Hard Labor Creek State Park, led by veteran Dream Team Coaches and alumni. They are just getting established in 2013 in a partnership
with the Madison Boys & Girls Club, thanks to the Bryans Foundation.
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The growth of the Dream Team has been terrific, but they can use more support. With tougher economic times, the BRAG organization is not able to provide as much funding for the Dream Team as it once did. Please consider a donation to the Dream Team (send a check to BRAG at PO Box 871111, Stone Mountain, GA 30087-0028; note on your check that it is for the Dream Team). Thank you for helping provide a positive focus and source of encouragement to young people who can really use it.
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