Pedal 4 Prosperity is a first time bike ride/fundraiser to support the new housing counseling program of ZION Development Corporation. This is a fully self-supported ride. We have put together two routes of about 15 miles. One route is an urban route, and the second is a road/rural route. All rides start and end at the large picnic shelter at Levings Park along Levings Lake. Snacks and water bottle refills will be available at the shelter. The ride starts at 9 AM. Lunch will be available after 10:30. Everything will wrap up at 1:30. You are free to ride either or both of the routes as many times as you choose. This is a fun ride, not a race, so it's just a good chance to have fun while supporting a good cause. Helmets and waiver are required. Waiver will be emailed to you upon registration.

ZION Development Corporation's housing counseling program is designed to help first time homebuyers be successful long-term home owners. ZION provides homebuyer education classes that help people understand the home buying process. We also offer individual housing counseling to help people improve their credit and build stronger money management skills as they pursue their dream of homeownership. As the program grows, we plan to offer foreclosure prevention services, post-purchase education classes, and reverse mortgage counseling.

ZION Development Corporation is a faith-based 501(c)(3) not for profit organization and a ministry of Zion Lutheran Church of Rockford. ZION's focus is on community development and affordable housing. In our 41+ years of operation, ZION has created over 200 units of affordable housing with another 200+ units under construction right now. ZION has also done significant work in cleaning up the 7th Street business corridor including the elimination of businesses that served as fronts for criminal elements. Rockford's first "permanent, supportive housing" development was created by ZION. The Grand Apartments converted the most dangerous address in northern Illinois into 46 units of permanent housing for people that would otherwise be homeless. In addition, ZION has helped to create more than a dozen businesses over the years. Most recently ZION owns and maintains the Strong Neighborhood Houses in partnership with the United Way and local law enforcement in Midtown, Ellis Heights, and Machesney Park. ZION developed a water quality plan for the Keith Creek watershed under the EPA 319 program. ZION serves as the nonprofit sponsor of the rehabilitation of the Lafayette Hotel into additional permanent supportive housing units. In other parts of Illinois, ZION has sponsored affordable housing developments in Bloomington, Harvey, and Lincoln totaling over 150 units of affordable family and senior housing.