Gearing Up: Helping Women Help Themselves

Gearing Up is a non-profit organization that is helping women help themselves.  Founder Kristin Gavin began this program in 2008 as a way to assist women who are struggling in the vicious cycle of recovery.  Whether these women are suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, or physical abuse, Gearing Up is helping women set goals and find their way on the road to recovery. 

Gearing Up works with local bike shops and provides this unique program to the women of Interim House in Philadelphia, PA.  Gavin has crafted an incentive program in which anyone in the program can build their own bike for keeps once they have completed 100 miles of biking.  Gearing Up leads 3 rides per week for the women participating in the program.  Many of the women have been incarcerated and have had a life long struggle of drug and alcohol issues.  For many, this is the first time they have done something good for themselves.

Gearing Up believes that getting these women out on their bikes not only lifts the shroud of depression that covets a life of poverty and drugs, but lifts their belief in reaching their goals.  Physical activity increases serotonin levels in the brain and is the bodies natural "happy pill".  Getting the Gearing Up women riding has been a great success thus far.  The women have a steep road ahead, but through Gearing Up they have increased their self esteem, have developed camaraderie and trust, and most importantly have created an incredible support system for themselves. 

Gavin is truly an inspiration and a hero amongst women.  Click on the video below to learn more about Gearing Up.  Hear first hand from the women in the program and see how YOU can get involved in a program worth supporting!

Gearing Up Video