As a first-year mentor in 2021, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how Dream Team changes the lives of dozens of Central Iowa youth each year. As a volunteer, I also learned how rewarding it is to be part of a time-tested program that helps youth riders build confidence and develop a positive approach to help conquer life’s challenges. Now in its 25th year, Dream Team has an amazing story to tell. Contact me if your organization would like to learn more about how they can support Dream Team or if you are with the media and are interested in learning more about Dream Team.

My love for Dream Team started before I joined the team when I saw them on RAGBRAI. I quickly wanted to be involved in the program and in 2024 served my first year as a mentor. Seeing each of the youth grow and conquer their goals inside and outside of Dream Team has been nothing short of amazing! Dream Team means so much more than youth on bikes and I am so excited to help continue to help this team being the amazing team it is. 

Since joining the Dream Team in 2022 as a riding mentor, I was impressed by the transformation of the youth in the program.  After my first Dream Team season, I was excited to join the leadership team given this was a natural merger of my interests of cycling and serving/supporting youth in Central Iowa.

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I am a retired Marine and now a career Firefighter-AEMT.  I first joined the dream team in 2000 as a mentor and rode with the team through 2002.  Now I am back and the dream team is bigger and better than ever.  We have wonderful mentors, wonderful youth, great leadership and an awesome facility we can call our home.  I love to ride my bike and I love to work with the other mentors and our youth in achieving their goals and it's amazing to see what they can accomplish!

I have been a riding mentor on the Dream Team since 2022.   Like other members of leadership I’m an avid cyclist and I’m always looking for new challenges on a bicycle.   I remember seeing the Dream Team on RAGBRAI and on the local trails at least ten years ago.   I looked up Dream Team online and thought, “What a great way to have fun on a bike and give back to the community.   I originally planned to join Dream Team earlier but COVID and unfortunately delayed me joining until later.    I’m very happy I joined this team and feel blessed to be given the opportunity to watch these amazing youth grow. 

Since joining the Dream Team in 2020 as a riding mentor, it has been inspiring to be a part of the transformation process for these amazing Des Moines-area youth. Nothing short of a metamorphosis takes place - a major and permanent change of their character into something new. I have witnessed youth gain fitness, friendships, self-confidence, and discipline. I’m proud to be seeking the welfare of my greater Des Moines community by investing in the youth of the Dream Team. As a life-long cyclist myself, it is a joy to share my passion for cycling with others.

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Dream Team changes the lives of both the mentors and youth in the program in profound ways. I am new to the board and was a first year riding mentor last season for 2023. I joined because of my skills in relating to and supporting youth who need a caring adult in their life. I could not say a year ago that I thought of myself as a “biker” but learning about the program I figured I could handle a few bike rides in the park. I quickly learned that training for RAGBRAI’s 50th anniversary, which ended up being one of the hottest, hilliest and longest in its history, was a lot more than just riding bikes.  When we reached the Mississippi this year I knew I wanted to be in this for the long haul; being part of this magic is a true gift and responsibility I take very close to my heart. 

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