IMPORTANT TEAM UPDATE:
We’ve spent the past several weeks working tirelessly to find a way to host Journey of Hope, while ensuring the safety of all participants. We continue to hear heartbreaking stories from our partners across the country of the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for countless communities.
Additionally, the current CDC guidelines for in-person events ends on May 15 with Orientations scheduled to begin starting two weeks later. Even if this guideline is removed, the timing does not allow us to react in order to safely host our event. Above all, given the information we have about the rising number of cases in many states the trip passes through, we feel to proceed would put those who are so dedicated to the mission at a very high risk, especially with some of our fragile populations. As the coronavirus outbreak spreads, we cannot in good conscience proceed with the event.
Considering all these circumstances, we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel Journey of Hope as we know it and transition to a Virtual event for 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19.
While the event itself is now not happening in-person, that does not mean the mission or need for shared experiences goes away. The pandemic has caused us all to feel an immense sense of social isolation. Conversations with our partners has brought to light the fact that the social distancing requirements have created a situation in which many of our friends across the country are completely cut off from their support networks. No one can visit them in some cases.
Due to this immediate need that our Journey of Hope community faces,The Ability Experience is launching new virtual events, allowing us to partner with organizations across the country and continue to serve our mission in a new and unique way.
We need your support to make social interaction and support a reality for our friends with disabilities. While the coronavirus has changed the world over the course of a very short time, we are resolved to ensure it won’t impact the friendships we have built over the last four decades across the country.
I hope you will join The Ability Experience to continue to serve a mission that creates uncommon opportunities for the men of Pi Kappa Phi. See below for ways you can get involved today!
Alternative Participation Opportunities
Virtual Journey of Hope
This is a virtual experience for a team to ride “together” and participate in friendship visits with some of our friends across the country who, in most instances, are isolated from the family and friends they rely on for their social support.
As schedules allow, team members will ride solo or on a team to virtually cover 1500 miles. Virtual group rides will be offered each week for participants using Zoom and Bkool.
For the friendship visits, we have started to work with various partners to find ways for our brothers to connect with people with disabilities. Our goal is to create a few events where we can engage some of the same participants you may have met along the route and beyond. Events will look like virtual campfires, game nights, group hangouts and dances. We will be relying on you and your networks as well to help us find brothers who can share their talents to make some magic for our friends along the Journey of Hope routes.
While there is no fundraising minimum to participate, brothers who raise $5,000 and complete 1500 miles will be inducted into the Pi Alpha Society.
Each team member who completes this challenge will receive a jersey, a Pi Alpha pin, and a certificate.
Interested? To sign up as a 2020 Journey of Hope Virtual team member, please click here to get registered!
Crew Members
We are currently working on what the virtual experience looks like for our crew but don’t have the exact answer yet. We do know that we’ll need help with social media, ride coordination, technology and fundraising, so if you have an interest in continuing to work on behalf of The Ability Experience, we encourage you to sign up for Virtual Journey of Hope. We will work with you on the next steps.
Interested? To sign up as a 2020 Journey of Hope Virtual crew member, please click here to get registered!
Secure your spot on the 2021 or later team
All team members will have the opportunity to ride or crew on any of our events in a future year. We know the value in having this experience. If this is an option for you, we will give you the support you need to make this happen!
SPECIAL NOTE: To register for a 2021 event, use the code 2020 for the links below.
Gear Up Florida 2021 | Journey of Hope 2021 | Build America 2021
This circumvents the application and will get your ready to ride. If you want to ride in 2022 or later just contact a staff member when you’re ready and we’ll get you signed up.
Are you a graduating senior?
We hope you will consider the Virtual Journey of Hope option.
In the past we have had students that have their trips cut short due to medical school orientations, or an injury or illness, and they’ve worked hard to come back in a future year as well. You can also work with the staff to do smaller ride-alongs to put together the same experience.
Donations, Registration Fee and Security Deposit
Journey of Hope Donations
The answer to why donations can’t be transferred to 2021 is two-fold. We have expenses that have been paid out for the planning of this year’s trip and organizations across the country that we still need to serve. If we carried the donations over to next year, Journey of Hope could cease to exist, and The Ability Experience could not withstand the financial strain.
All team members who have earned incentives will receive their incentives regardless of their choice to participate in Virtual Journey of Hope. Those will be mailed once we make the final orders on a few of the items.
Nothing about the COVID –19 outbreak has been easy. But for so many reasons, we want you to come back. We have an important mission to fulfill and want you to be a part of it! Regional Directors will help you navigate these fundraising challenges and provide the support you need throughout your entire journey.
Registration Fee & Security Deposit
This year’s registration fee will not be refunded, however, the registration fee for next year’s event will be waived. Also, all security deposit checks will be mailed out as soon as the new address for team members is confirmed.
Next Steps
We are here for you every step of the way. This is a lot to take in and not what you or anyone else expected to happen this spring. Please take time to process and discuss options with your family and mentors as to how you can best proceed.
We’d love to talk with you and help navigate what this looks like for you. Within the next day or two, please set up a call with your Regional Director to discuss your options with us – and we encourage you to include your family or anyone else on the call.
Please stay in touch with us. While nothing is panning out in 2020 for just about anyone, we know this is a huge let down. We have people you can talk with to help process this or to set up a game plan so you can have this life changing experience.
Here’s a quick recap of your options:
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- Sign up for the 2020 Virtual Journey of Hope Event
- Sign up for a 2021 Event
- Sign up for a 2022 event or beyond by contacting The Ability Experience team when you are ready to sign up
If you have additional questions, please set up a time to speak with your Regional Director.