MORRIS – Eleven bicycle riders, as young as 17, from Chicago hope to show their determination to be heard in Springfield by riding their bicycles 210 miles across highways, dirt trails and steep hills. Bikes N’ Roses is a youth-centered outreach program created by Community United in Chicago.

The program teaches kids the mechanics of bicycles, plans rides and creates a family-like atmosphere for kids living in areas of gangs, drugs and violence and gives youth employment opportunities.

This group is funded by grants from the state, but the Bikes N’ Roses grant is among many on the chopping block as Springfield wrestles with getting state finances under control.

“After Gov. [Bruce] Rauner revoked a $276,000 grant to Bikes N’ Roses, city youth are biking for three days to Springfield to elevate youth voice and fight against an austerity plan that targets communities of color,” event coordinator Anna-Lisa Castle said.

After the first 70 miles of the trip, the group landed Saturday evening in Morris. Through friend Peg Ebert, Morris High School teacher Celia Mistretta connected with Bikes N' Roses and opened her home to the 11 riders and three support staff.

Mistretta was approved by Communities United to host the group, as she is a teacher and foreign exchange student host, and she passed the proper background checks.

“I’m looking forward to conversation with the kids. I wish they could stay longer and swim, and be outdoors since they are city kids,” Mistretta said.

The group was scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m., but with road obstacles – which included washed out bridges, gravel and muddy trails – the crew peddled in after 8 p.m. Although weary and tired, they all had smiles, and were ready for a hot shower and a warm meal.

“I’m an Italian mama, so I made the kids baked ziti and lots of bread. They have ridden all day, I am sure they will eat anything,” Mistretta said.

The group gathered around the dinning room, along with Mistretta and friends, as if they knew each other for years. Everyone ate, shared life experiences, goals, and what the trip meant to them.

Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center senior Jassmyn Venegas said she was devastated when she heard the news of the funding cut. She has been working with Bikes N’ Roses for four years and is one of the only girls in the program.

“We received an email telling us that our funding was cut and the employees would no longer have jobs. This was my summer job to save money for college. I want to go to Northeastern Illinois University and study psychology,” Venegas said. “Now I have to find a new job, but I will still volunteer at Bikes N’ Roses.”

The group’s planned stop for Sunday was in Normal, and then ride to Springfield on Monday, where they were set to have dinner at a local church and prepare for Tuesday – they day the cyclists plan to lap the governor’s mansion and capitol building, as well as meet with others from Bikes N’ Roses who drove, on the rotunda for a news conference and lobby day.

“I want to see Rauner outside face to face. I want to have a conversation with him about cutting programs, and what it does to youth growing up in a negative environment like I did,” said Jose Briceno, assistant manager at Communities United and Bikes N’ Roses volunteer.