Journey of Hope coming up

For the third straight year, Western Nevada College will welcome a group of cross-country bicyclists and the public to support people with disabilities through its participation in the Journey of Hope friendship visit.

The cross-country cycling trip by The Ability Experience visits WNC’s Carson City Campus from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 17. WNC and the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities will present a number of activities inside and outside of Joe Dini Student Center to celebrate the cycling team’s friendship visit.

Besides visiting with the participating cyclists, the public can connect with local organizations committed to serving and supporting those with disabilities.

In celebration of the event, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has officially proclaimed June 17-22 as Journey of Hope week in Nevada.

Susan Trist, WNC’s Disability Support Services coordinator, said many activities are planned for children, including face painting, a bounce house, balloon animal creations, and science demonstrations.

The festivities will also include free food, disability-related resource tables, music, dancing, karaoke, a prize raffle and keynote speakers. There will also be employment and housing informational sessions for people with disabilities.

“These events educate and inform individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and professionals about services and supports in their local communities,” said NGCDD Projects Manager Kari Horn. “People need to know what supports are available to them and that they are not alone within their communities.”

Journey of Hope is part of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s national philanthropy efforts to serve people with disabilities. The annual journey spans 32 states and 12,000 combined miles of cycling.