I've wanted to ride in El Tour since I moved to Tucson almost 25 years ago. TWICE a broken leg has prevented me from being ready. I'm not really ready this year either, but I turn 45 in November, and I have a goal to raise $450 for Tu Nidito.
I'm riding in honor of my father-in-law, Lehman, who was an avid cyclist and always encouraged me to ride my bike. He rode in El Tour in 2003 - 20 years ago. Lehman is no longer able to go on bike rides, but I know he would be proud of me for getting on my bike and going for a ride.
My charity of choice is Tu Nidito - I also work there. Our mission is that No Child Grieves Alone.
Will you help me raise $450 for Tu Nidito Ride for a Child?
Want to ride with me?
Tu Nidito Ride for a Child
Tu Nidito Children and Family Services in on a mission to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death of a special person. We walk along side those who grieve, children, teens, young adults and caregivers on their grief journey. Meeting them where they are as no one's grief journey is the same. We provide one to one support from professionals support specialists as well as group support faciliated by highly trained volunteers. We do this work in English and Spanish free of charge.
Tu Nidito's programs are free but not without cost that is why Tu Nidito is honored to join our non-profit community as a beneficiary of the 40th El Tour de Tucson. Tu Nidito was an orginal primary beneficiary of El Tour and the partnership we forged propel both organizations forward.
Our vision for our community is that "No Child Grieves Alone". That is why we are asking YOU, to Ride for a Tu Nidito Child, together we will meet the needs of our greiving community, which are greater now than ever as we experience the ripple impact of the pandemic and increase in traumatic death from suicide. violence, overdose and accidentents coupled with death related to serious medical conditions and aging.
The mission of Tu Nidito is to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death.
Tu Nidito has become our community’s trusted experts on grief. For over 25 years, southern Arizona has depended on Tu Nidito’s compassionate grief support programs and resources to guide us on our grief journey. Grief is embedded in our experiences and part of everyday life, yet we shy away from talking about it. We do not readily acknowledge grief, we do not listen deeply to one’s grief, we do not let others be in their pain. We want to fix their grief, telling them it will pass, they must be strong. Grieving people do not want advice and they cannot be fixed. They need to be heard, we need to join them on their journey and let them be in their pain. We need to get comfortable being uncomfortable sharing grief.
Tu Nidito recognizes that a child’s response to a serious medical diagnosis or death is different from an adults. Therefore, programs focus on the unique needs of children. However, grief professionals on staff also understand that grief impacts the entire family; a child’s siblings, caregivers and family members need unique support of their own. Tu Nidito’s support programs are offered through one-on-one and group meetings, as well as through professional workshops and interventions for:
· Children, ages 3 ½- 18, and their families grieving the death of a loved one.
· Children, ages birth-18, who are diagnosed with a serious medical condition and their families.
· Children, ages 3 ½- 18, who have a parent diagnosed with a serious medical condition and their families.
· Young adults, ages 18-39, who are grieving the death of a loved one.
· School staff and community agencies to ensure adults are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support grieving youth.