Please join us in warmly welcoming Kristin Brower to the Reconnect Rochester team! Kristin and her family have been involved in Reconnect Rochester’s advocacy for years. She will play an integral role in our efforts by helping to attract the financial and in-kind resources that fuel Reconnect Rochester’s work in the community. Find out how she landed here and what inspires her to advocate for mobility in the message below.
Kristin Brower (she/her)
I’m thrilled to join Reconnect Rochester as the new Fundraising and Development Manager! My passion for biking, walking, and transit over a car-dependent lifestyle started at a young age. My first job, delivering the afternoon Democrat and Chronicle, was by bike, and as an adult, I’ve even enjoyed vacations entirely by bike. I was fortunate to live 12 car-free years in Washington, DC, and was able to experience safe, efficient, and reliable transportation options on a large scale.
Returning to Rochester highlighted America’s car culture dependency. While my family and I continued to bike, walk, and bus, it was undeniably more challenging, and biking or walking with young children was often stressful and sometimes frightening. This experience disheartened me, not only for my family and friends, but overall seeing the community impact of cars.
Finding Reconnect Rochester, joining many of their bike history tours, and seeing their incredible work promoting transportation choices, gave me hope. I truly believe our community can change and eventually will thrive. However, it also made clear that for many, navigating Rochester without a car is still a significant barrier. I’m excited to help make it easier for everyone.