A not-for-profit organization that provides transitional housing and boxing training for at-risk men is hoping to use the money raised from an upcoming charity event to expand its operation. 

Pan Am Place will be hosting its second annual Iron Ride on Nov. 3 and 4 at its Pan Am Boxing Club, with the goal of raising $100,000. 

The Iron Ride is a 24 hour indoor cycling event where people form teams and take turns riding a stationary bike. 

The money will go towards acquiring and renovating a second Pan Am Place location that will help at-risk women and single mothers. 

"Quite often children come with at-risk women so we wanted to provide a space where these families can stay together," Pan Am Place president Harry Black said. "There's a huge need and what we really want to do is get ahead of the things that cause people to be homeless, and that's usually drugs, alcohol and a broken home where there is no guidance." 

"If we can get to these mothers and help them it will impact the kids and we can get ahead of that vicious cycle." 

Black says Pan Am Place residents cook and clean for each other and train at the boxing club for at least three to four hours every week. He says they also help residents work towards independent living with a range of educational, job, training, social skills, healthy living, and counselling support and programming. 

Black says 70 riders have already signed up and they are hoping for at least 100 people to show up and take part. 

He says people can get involved or donate by visiting panamplace.com or by visiting them in person at 88 Arthur St. in the Exchange District. 

The event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 and runs until 10 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 4.