Mayor Honors Parathlete's Youth Outreach

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Mike Gin praised Redondo Beach resident Kristina Ripatti-Pearce and Operation Progress for their advocacy for inner city youth and participation in the 2010 Race Across America. 

Operation Progress was founded in 2000 by a group of LAPD officers to seek out youth in crime-ridden neighborhoods and provide them with mentorship, leadership training and financial resources for educational scholarships. On June 12, Ripatti-Pearce, a retired LAPD officer and a parathlete, will join a four-member bicycle relay team to cross 3,000 miles and 14 states on her custom built hand cycle to inspire kids and raise money for the organization.