Aaron Bishop
TEAM 314 RUN TO END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
When Jordan Connell was 9 years old he knew he needed to serve a greater purpose in life and to mankind. So he decided to sponsor a child from the Feed the Children Miracle Network. He mowed lawns in the neighborhood to afford the $18.00 a month commitment. During high school he served on multiple social committees, excelled in academics, athletics, and served his church and community. He attended college for 2 years at William Jewell College just north of Kansas City, Mo. There he made a decision that would change his efforts as a humanitarian forever. He decided to for-go his junior year of college to serve as a missionary to homeless youth in the inner city of Chicago. While in this 12 month program he learned the tough realities these invisible youth face every day. When returning to Kansas City he desperately needed to apply this knew found passion for putting others needs before his own. In July of 2011 Jordan spent 30 days and nights, 24 hours a day, seven days a week as a homeless man, amongst the Kansas City’s homeless population. He quickly discovered how many children were sleeping in the streets, and decided to split his time volunteering in 2 different shelters. Artist for the Homeless (Director Kar Woo) and Synergy (Director Chaz Marks) became Jordan new passion, serving as a resident advisor to the kids.
All of Jordan’s works have come together for this life changing event. He has spent the last 18 months vigorously training for the run of all runs. On September 15th, 2012 he will begin his 40 Mile per Day run across the United States (New York to L.A) to create a voice for the homeless youth of our great nation….. This remarkable effort will span 109 days, running a total of 77 days, resting every Thursday and Sunday. The route will lead Jordan and his team, Team 314, to twelve Youth Service Providers along the way.
The Message, quite simple: Serving the Needs of Others before Your Own.
Together we can make a difference. Please help us share this courageous story with the world.
· New York City, NY 09/15 Covenant House (Central Park)
· Philadelphia, PA 09/19 Simple Way Shelter
· Pittsburgh, PA 09/29 Downtown Outreach Center
· Columbus, OH 10/06 Huckleberry House
· Cincinnati, OH 10/10 Lighthouse Shelter
· Louisville, KY 10/14 YMCA Safe Place (National Safe Place HQ)
· St. Louis, MO 10/24 Covenant House
· Kansas City, MO 11/03 Synergy
· Wichita, KS 11/10 Children’s Home
· Albuquerque, NM 12/01 New Day New Mexico
· Phoenix, AZ 12/15 Tumbleweed Youth Shelter
· Los Angeles, CA 12/31 Santa Monica Pier
Nearly 2.8 Million youth annually are categorized as “unaccompanied, or displaced” in the United States of America. That statistic alone is a staggering reality of what’s happening with the youth in our country. The US Interagency Council on Homelessness wants to gain control of this horrific epidemic by the year 2020. Jordan and Team314 gladly accept this challenge. This initiative is designed to raise social awareness of youth homelessness in our local communities and throughout the US so we may create a new avenue for these at risk youth.
Our Vision: Team314 Home & Educational Center.
Our Goal: To develop a safe haven for “at risk youth” offering: room and board, medical assistance, educational resources to gain high school equivalency or associates degrees, work study vocation programs, mentoring and counseling, spiritual guidance and of course the importance of health and fitness.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Jordan (Please see contact info above).

