Blog 11/14/23

CycleBar Instructor Wins $5,500 for BRAVO!

Jordan Stumph (She/Her) leads indoor cycling classes as an instructor at CycleBar Polaris. Recently, her 30-minute 7 AM class raised $5,500 for the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO).

The contest was sponsored by Tony Wells (He/Him) of The Wells Foundation, a Columbus-based private family foundation. Wells, a CycleBar rider, challenged 10 instructors to raise money for the charity of their choice. Each instructor received $500. The instructor’s class that finished with the “highest average power” won an additional $5,000.

“As you ride, your bike’s gear and speed generate a power number,” said Stumph. At the end of the session, the instructor gets a combined average power for the class. Stumph’s early morning class rose to the challenge.

A recent transplant from Colorado, she doesn’t know Columbus well. A Google search introduced her to BRAVO. “I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and I thought the work of BRAVO was really incredible,” said Stumph.

A program of Equitas Health, BRAVO provides resources, support, and community for LGBTQ+ survivors of hate violence, relationship violence, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment.

“The more I read about them, the more I knew this is who I wanted to support. It wasn’t just their support of people who experience domestic violence, but their support of those who experience hate crimes,” said Stumph. “Lawmakers are trying to go backwards in relation to human rights. Supporting organizations like BRAVO is crucial right now.”

Donations are vital to BRAVO’s work, said Alex Anastasia (She/Her), program manager.

BRAVO provides clients with bus tickets, personal care items, clothing, and safety supplies like cameras, journals, and locks. A donation of this size is a game changer when it comes to meeting the needs of the people we serve, said Anastasia.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, call BRAVO at (866) 862-7286, text (614) 333-907, or chat live at bravo.equitashealth.org.

Learn more about The Wells Foundation at trwellsfoundation.org.

Join the ride at CycleBar Polaris.