Challenging the Cycle for At Risk Kids: Dr. Lori Salierno of Celebrate Life International

Most CEOs make plans, set a vision and delegate the hard stuff to employees to implement.

Not Dr. Lori Salierno. First, she saw the incredible hardship experienced by at-risk children as they intersected with the juvenile justice system. Then, she founded the nonprofit Celebrate Life International in Acworth to address the problems faced but youth who drop out of high school, are incarcerated or have limited their options for their futures.

Despite the fact that she’s 52 years old and wasn’t really a long-distance biker before this summer, Dr. Lori set out on a 3,000-mile odyssey across the heartland of this great country to “Break the Cycle” for at-risk youth. Starting out in her hometown of Vancouver, Wash. and ending in her adopted town of Acworth, Dr. Lori is focusing people’s attention on the kids in America who need it the most, the ones who are on the edge.

Highlighting the huge numbers of teens who are living in juvenile detention centers and are in need of mentoring and education so that they can make a better choices, Dr. Lori will finish her Break the Cycle journey by ending up at North Cobb High School on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. Since Acworth is where the headquarters of Celebrate Life International is located, it was a logical choice to focus the end of her bike ride on the community where she works and lives.

“In Acworth and every community in the nation our schools have young people that are academically and socially being left behind," said Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood. "Dr. Lori Salerno, through Celebrate Life International, has developed and implemented a program that empowers and inspires at-risk children to make choices that change the course of their life. The Teach One to Lead One® life-changing program was launched right here in Acworth at North Cobb High School. Lori has dedicated her summer to ride across these United States to raise awareness and the funding to make sure communities like Acworth, Georgia do not leave their young people behind when it comes to preparing them for life’s journey!”

Dr. Lori, through her Breaking the Cycle tour, hopes to raise awareness and enough funds to help 10,000 kids enter Celebrate Life’s mentoring program entitled Teach One to Lead One®. With this seven part leadership skill development program and curriculum, volunteer mentors hope to steer young people into a new path.

Want to Participate in the Challenge the Cycle Tour Homecoming?

When: Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, 10 a.m.-noon

Where: Bike Parade from Main Street to North Cobb Christian School to end up at the North Cobb High School Stadium.

Bring your bicycle at 7:00 a.m. to downtown Acworth for the 4-mile ride to escort Dr. Lori to her final destination. The procession will continue on Old Highway 41 South. If you’d prefer to just view the ceremony, gather at the stadium by 10 a.m.

Music will be provide by Old Dixie Highway, which includes Grady Clark and Eric Cain. Lunch will be catered by Sonny’s Barbeque for a small donation.

Mayor Tommy Allegood will be speaking as well as Dr. Lori. Please bring your friends and family to this family-friendly event. If you’d like to follow her progress before August 4, go to www.challengethecycle.org