Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh Youth Leadership.<\/p>\n
Riding a bike is a quintessential kid experience. But for Pittsburgh Youth Leadership, cycling is something even more powerful \u2014 a means for mentorship.<\/p>\n
Since 2006, young people in their program have cycled 600,000 miles on long-distance rides all across the United States. The experience provides a huge sense of accomplishment, especially for 14-year-old Darmelle Kalala, who recently immigrated to Crafton from Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know that I was going to do 50 miles at once. I was like \u2018I\u2019m scared. I can\u2019t do this,’\u201d Kalala said. \u201cBut at the end I was like \u2018I did it!\u2019 I started crying when I did 50 miles.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fourteen-year-old Caisy Olwal from Monroeville has gone on seven long-distance trips across the United States. He\u2019s currently cycling 1,000 miles for two weeks from Iowa to Wyoming.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought that I could bike for so long and do something as hard as it is to bike, and I learned a lot about myself, like what I can do on my own,\u201d Olwal said.<\/p>\n
Nevaeh Jefferson is also on the trip out west. She lives in the Hill District and says Pittsburgh Youth Leadership inspires her to set high goals: \u201cIt\u2019s really kept me on a path. My goal is to bike all around the country. I want to get to all 50 states,\u201d Jefferson said.<\/p>\n
Growing up around violence, Jefferson says Pittsburgh Youth Leadership is helping her experience a bigger world.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to bike, it\u2019s been great because I know people that would want this opportunity or who deserve this opportunity but don\u2019t get opportunities like this,\u201d said Jefferson \u201cI value my opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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