River-2-River Ride Sunday to support Kairos Counseling Center

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Dan Schlack, a computer programmer/analyst who enjoys the freedom of cycling, will ride approximately 140 miles from Elgin to the Mississippi River to raise awareness and funding for the Kairos Counseling Center in Elgin.

His ride will take him through cities, towns, and villages in Kane, DeKalb, Lee, and Whiteside counties.

His journey is about an organization, in its 41st year of providing counseling services within the Fox Valley area, and the people the organization serves, many of whom cannot afford the $140 cost per therapy session. He has supported and served the organization for over five years and rides to raise awareness and $2,500 to support the organization's collective efforts to provide qualify affordable counseling services to further help people through life's rough patches.

The reason for this journey is about, Cyndi, a young woman Schlack met in his youth whose rough patches were dark and frightening. Though medication could keep the terror at bay, it came at a terrible price. For Cyndi could not bear the medications side effects or its lasting darkness and was hospitalized on several occasions. Ultimately, due to mental health program cuts, Cyndi was released without a prescriptive course of action. Afraid of all alternatives, abandoned, and alone, Cyndi took her own life.

As Schlack puts it, "No one who needs help to face their demons, whether big or small, should ever be left alone. Though Cyndi did not have access to the Kairos Counseling Center, many in need of counseling services do. The organization is there to help others, like Cyndi, through life's rough patches."

If you wish to support the River-2-River ride to raise awareness and/or funding for Kairos Counseling Center, visit www.kairosfamilycounseling.com, call (847) 742-5717 (press 4 and leave a detailed message), or send support to the organization at 240 Standish St., Elgin, IL, 60123.