Miles that Matter: A Cross-Country Bike Ride to Support YMCA Men’s Residence

Miles that Matter, News /

Mark and Noreen posing in front of the YMCA logo in front of the Main Building. Their bikes are in front of them and their arms are up in a Y shape.
Mark Metz and Noreen Edwards are riding 4,100 Miles to build support for the McGaw YMCA’s Men’s Residence housing program and upcoming renovation project.

Evanston, IL — This summer, four wheels will carry a mission across the country. From August 24 through mid-November 2025, McGaw YMCA Board Chair Mark Metz and his wife, Noreen Edwards, will embark on a 4,100-mile self-supported ride along the TransAmerica Trail from the Pacific to the Atlantic on their recumbent bicycles.

Their purpose? To raise awareness and vital funds for the McGaw YMCA Men’s Residence, one of the last remaining YMCA Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing programs in the United States.

For more than a century, the Men’s Residence has been a beacon of hope, offering safe, affordable housing to men in Evanston, Illinois. At a time when affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce, Metz and Edwards are taking bold action to help preserve and elevate this vital community resource.

“The Men’s Residence is more than just a roof over someone’s head,” said Metz. “It provides affordable, stable housing in a supportive environment for over 150 men—many of whom are working to rebuild their lives, overcome hardship, and create a path forward.”

Their upcoming bike ride is, in Metz’s words, “our way of showing up for our neighbors who live in the Men’s Residence.” The journey will be fully self-supported—just Metz and Edwards, their bikes, gear, and the kindness of strangers. As they ride from coast to coast, they’ll share updates, photos, and reflections from the road.

Mark and Noreen are sitting on their bikes in front of the Main Building.

Miles that Matter: A Journey with Purpose

Dubbed Miles that Matter, the ride is a powerful statement of community commitment and human resilience. Mark and Noreen’s cross-country bike ride serves as both a compelling awareness campaign and a fundraising effort to spotlight the urgent need for affordable housing options in Evanston. Every mile they ride carries the stories of the hundreds of men who have found a sense of community within the historic McGaw YMCA Men’s Residence.

The ride comes at a pivotal moment: during the quiet phase of a capital campaign aimed at a transformative renovation of the Men’s Residence.

“At McGaw YMCA, we believe everyone deserves the dignity of safe and affordable housing,” said Monique Parsons, McGaw YMCA President & CEO. “The Men’s Residence isn’t just a building, it’s a home and a place of hope for so many. That’s why we’re deeply committed to supporting it through our daily work with residents, this cross-country ride, and the upcoming renovation.”

To date, the capital campaign to renovate the Men’s Residence has raised over $11.7 million—50% of the $22.5 million goal—through a combination of public and private support. With strong early momentum and continued donor engagement, McGaw YMCA will invite the broader community to participate once approximately 80% of the funding is secured. Learn more at www.mcgawymca.org/give/campaign.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to support Miles that Matter bike ride and the mission behind it. Follow Mark and Noreen’s cross-country ride on Instagram @ymcamilesthatmatter, and visit www.mcgawymca.org/miles-that-matter to subscribe to their blog for updates from the road.

Make a direct impact by donating to support the Men’s Residence Renovation at https://bit.ly/residencecampaign. Finally, help spread the word by sharing their story to inspire others to get involved.

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