The Community Says:
"John Mein initiated a cycling activity at Oak Hill Youth Center, the juvenile detention center for DC youth. This has been documented by the Earth Conservation Corps, and shown on DC public access television. Many of the young men at Oak hill participated in a biathlon in the late spring on 2008, and they cycled against representatives of the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Mayor's office - Mayor Fenty was a competitor in the run portion! He is in the process of setting up a bike repair project at Oak Hill, and deserves acknowledgment for his good works.
John is a recreational cyclist, and was kind enough to give me his much valued bike locker at the Odenton MARC station, so I could begin commuting by train and bike. He's an inspiring, talented guy, with a real heart for young people.
- Judge's comments:
- "John is extraordinary because he has focused on a truly neglected part of our society ...kids in the juvenile justice system who are in significant trouble. Introducing them to the world of biking gives these young people different lenses from which to see their world. I'm confident that for some of these young people going on the bike rides is one of the few “just being a kid” funs things they have really been able to do. Kids don't end up in the juvenile justice system because life has been good."
