BUILDING LEADERS OF TOMORROW BY SERVING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TODAY
Who We Are
Push America was founded in 1977 by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity with the purpose of instilling lifelong service in its members and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. Push America is still fulfilling the purpose it was intended for, but has grown into a nationwide organization with numerous programs educating undergraduates, alumni, and communities about the abilities of people with disabilities.
The areas we focus on are service leadership, construction, and cycling.
Service Leadership – With over 6,000 undergraduates and 65,000 alumni nationwide, Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have a unique opportunity to touch the lives of many individuals and encourage them to become leaders through service on campus and in their communities. At leadership conferences every year Pi Kappa Phi leaders learn how to spread the message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities to their own campuses and communities.
Construction– Pi Kappa Phi is heavily involved in the construction of accessible environments nationwide on campuses, in communities, at camps for people with disabilities, and even at individuals’ homes. Members of Pi Kappa Phi work year round, providing funds and man power, to help create a barrier free society for people with disabilities.
Cycling – Since 1988 Pi Kappa Phi has been cycling across the country to benefit people with disabilities. Cycling has been the best communication vehicle for the organization, taking to the roads of America and spreading a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities to millions of people through special events and the media. Our cycling events raise over $500,000 every summer to build hope for the future of people with disabilities while developing tomorrow's leaders.
How We Help…
Push America exists to support people with disabilities and develop members of Pi Kappa Phi into the leaders of tomorrow. There is no other organization in the Greek world as committed to a single charity as Pi Kappa Phi. Pi Kappa Phi is still the only Greek organization to organize and maintain its own national philanthropy. Here’s just a few ways Push America provides support to Pi Kappa Phis and people with disabilities.
…Pi Kappa Phi Members
• By providing disability education and a high-quality service experience.
• By providing personal and professional leadership development activities.
• By instilling a passion for service in each member.
…People with Disabilities
• By spreading a message of acceptance and understanding of abilities to campuses and communities nationwide.
• By building accessible environments where people with disabilities can enjoy camping experiences and everyday activities the same as able-bodied people.
• By volunteering, making friends with people with disabilities, and treating them as people first.
Awards Received By Push America
2005
Charity Navigator’s Four Star Organizational Excellence Award
Easter Seals Wisconsin Outstanding Service Group Award
United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh Humanitarian Award
Disability Assistance of Central Texas; Jesus Miranda, Sr. Accessibility Award – Build America
2004
Charity Navigator’s Four Star Organizational Excellence Award
Associations Advance America Honor Roll Award – Build America
2003
Charity Navigator’s Three Star Organization Excellence Award
2000
Easter Seals Connecticut Mobility Award
Associations Advance America Award of Excellence - Journey of Hope
Associations Advance America Honor Roll - Gear Up Florida
NIC Laurel Wreath Award (on behalf of Todd J. Porterfield and Jason R. Tirado)
1995
Holy Angels Volunteers of the Year
1994
NIC Laurel Wreath Award
1992
President George Bush's Points of Light
1991
Atlanta Braves Rookie of the Year
Each summer, 81 undergraduate and alumni members from across the United States cycle 4,000 miles from San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA to Washington, D.C. participating in activities and events to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities. Through team member fund raising and corporate sponsorships, the event raises more than $500,000. Gear Up Florida cycles through Florida communities to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Every summer 35 undergraduates and alumni of Pi Kappa Phi cycle 800 miles through 13 cities before ending in Tallahassee. Gear Up Florida raises more than $75,000, through team member fund raising and corporate sponsorships. Give-A-Push Weekends are national service programs that provide funding and manpower to build and renovate structures such as accessible fishing piers, boardwalks, pavilions and playgrounds for facilities that support people with disabilities. Push Camps provide undergraduate members the opportunity to spend a high quality Spring Break renovating camps and building accessible environments that will enhance the summer camp experience of a person with a disability. This alternative spring break is programmed around hard work, volunteerism, leadership, brotherhood, and fun. Build America is a six-week summer program where members of Pi Kappa Phi will construct accessible environments at six camps that support people with disabilities across the country. Team members have the opportunity for extended personal interaction with the campers who will benefit from their hard work, making this a very unique and life enriching experience for all involved. AccessABILITY - This construction program provides opportunities for Pi Kappa Phis across the country to get involved in their local community. Through the construction of wheelchair ramps, Push America and Pi Kappa Phi are making homes more accessible for families year after year. This program is designed to benefit families who have a family member with a disability.
CHAPTER SERVICES
Disability Awareness - Pi Kappa Phi organizes a variety of events to increase disability awareness on campus and in the community. Events like wheelchair basketball, guest speakers and Empathy Dinners help members of Pi Kappa Phi to spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities. Fund Raising - Pi Kappa Phis across the nation have collectively raised over $10 million in support of the various programs Push America offers. Members create unique events at every campus. Chapters organize sporting events, raffles, disability speaking presentations, amongst many other eye-catching events on campus. Volunteerism - Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country are becoming more involved in their communities through volunteer relationships with local organizations that support people with disabilities. Pi Kappa Phi chapters who have a volunteer relationship are eligible for grants through Push America to help people with disabilities in their local community. This is another way for Pi Kappa Phis to see how their fund raising is directly impacting the lives of people with disabilities in their community. Regional Rides - Regional Rides were created to bring together Pi Kappa Phi brothers and members of the community to raise funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities. Push America envisions cycling as an opportunity to see the country’s most beautiful scenery while enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
GRANT PROGRAMS
Partnership Grants - Push America also awards Partnership Grants to organizations that have on-going volunteer relationships with local Pi Kappa Phi chapters. Cycling Events Grant - The Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida teams are fortunate to have the support of organizations that serve people with disabilities across the country. Push America rewards them with grants to provide direct support to the people they serve. Summer Fellowship - Push America offers Summer Fellowships motivating collegiate to exercise their commitment to service. This financial stipend allows an undergraduate to serve at a summer camp committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Most camps will pay your wages.
For more information on the Journey of Hope, please visit us at:
