CRLN and 5 other co-sponsoring organizations–Center for Immigrant Progress, Centro Romero, Chicago-Cinquera Sister Cities, Chicago-Guatemala Partnership, and Concern America–are raising funds for education, health, and community organizing projects in Latin America and in immigrant communities in Lake County. Help us support scholarships for rural Indigenous students in Guatemala and El Salvador, health promoter trainings in rural and Indigenous or Black communities in Colombia, PPE for health professionals in El Salvador, voter registration and issued education in immigrant communities in Lake County, IL, and funding for those who must renew DACA work authorization at exorbitant new rates.

In these times, we have dreamed up a new way to participate in this annual event! This will be a decentralized Pedal for Peace, and we also have opened it up to people who run or walk. It is more flexible–choose your date within the next month to participate! Finally, we will all gather online to celebrate the results of our collective action.

September 12– October 11, you get to choose the day to bike, run, or walk the distance of your choice.

• Alone or with family/friends
• On a bike path, neighborhood streets, park, or exercise bike
• Send a photo of yourself in your biking location holding a sign with the name of the location (neighborhood, bike path, etc.) appearing in the photo to shunter-smith@crln.org. to share with other participants.

October 18, 4-5 pm: Online Zoom program to celebrate our united efforts to empower our communities in Illinois and Latin America. We will send out the link to you on the day of the event. While we cannot gather at this time, we can celebrate the way we remain connected by our global hearts and similar missions.

You can raise funds online using social media tools or you can use a paper pledge form to collect checks (contact shunter-smith@crln.org for a pledge form or if you have questions). Whichever method you choose, sign up to join one of the teams to raise funds at charity.gofundme.com/pedal-for-peace-bike-in-your-barrio