Homestretch Foundation

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Homestretch Foundation

We assist low-income female professional athletes with free housing. We work to eradicate salary inequity for women in all occupations. Join us! That’s not equal.

The Homestretch Foundation is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Tucson, AZ. We believe it’s time to address the issue of salary inequity; that the global gender pay gap is only 66%, meaning that women only make 2/3rds of a man’s salary. But, together, we can fix that...

At the Homestretch Foundation, we’ve combined our passion for social activism, female pro athletes and salary equity int

o a unique program. Here's what we do:

* Assist low-income female professional athletes with free housing
* Eradicate salary inequity for women in all occupations
* Teach our members how to become activists to create change
* Provide opportunities for our members to thrive in their post-athletic careers
* Allow members/donors to book our facility and stand with us to create equality

Please visit www.homestretchfoundation.org for details. To contact us directly, please email us through our website rather than FB messaging. Thank you!

09/01/2026

Applications are open for Homestretch Foundation residency: Dec 1 2026 - Mar 1 2027! Apply now, Sep 1-30th but first take note, future … We have some changes as we move from an owned residence to a rental residence:

🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️

1. THREE athletes will be selected to receive financial grants that cover a 3-month rental home in Tucson, AZ from Dec 1, 2026 - Mar 1, 2027. Selected athletes will live together in one home.

2. Homestretch will guide the athletes in selecting/booking their Tucson rental home, and the athletes’ names will on the lease.

3. Priority is first given to UCI Pro Tour/Continental Team road cyclists, National Team road cyclists preparing for LA 2028 Olympics, followed by Domestic Elite Team road cyclists. Track cyclists may also apply.

(While we love gravel racers, our focus for the next two years is helping athletes vying for the 2028 LA Olympic Games in road cycling. Now that Tucson has a velodrome, track cyclists will also be considered for residency.)

4. Applications will open September 1-30th 2026. Applicants will be selected early October 2026. Applicants, check your spam! Sometimes our replies end up in your Spam folder. So check within 10 days of applying. Then check twice.

Full info is on our website. Read the FAQ page before applying.

After 10 years of Homestretch, we’ve had 104 athletes from 18 countries and 7 Olympians through our doors so far. We love helping women’s cycling. Will you be one of next year’s new residents? We hope so!

Apply here: www.homestretchfoundation.org

🚴🏻‍♀️👊💪🏡🌵❤️

08/09/2026

Stretchie alum Romina Hinojosa making history at the first Mexican woman to race the modern day Tour de France Femmes. We are proud!
🇲🇽🚴🏽‍♀️💪👊

08/04/2026

Celebrating today who is racing Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! Romina came to Homestretch Foundation in 2023 & 2024, and to date is one of five Mexican athletes we’ve had through our doors. Romina has made history in being the first Mexican rider selected for the modern edition of the Tour de France Femmes! Romina brought her beautiful positivity, laughter, joy, discipline, hard work, teamwork and all the wonderfulness she is. We LOVE Romina! She made Homestretch a better place for all who’ve known her.

“Romina is wise beyond her years, and I’m honored to call this young woman a friend,” says Homestretch founder/CEO Kathryn Bertine. “In addition to being a talented athlete, Romina isn’t afraid to use her voice to be a spokesperson for women in cycling. I can’t wait to watch her grow and thrive.”

Better still… Romina loved her time in Tucson so much that she transferred to the The University of Arizona! Majoring in Psychology, Romina is currently taking courses online as her pro cycling career takes her across the globe. As UA alums & fans say, , Romina! You got this! 💪👊🐻⬇️🌵💕🚴🏽‍♀️

Romina travels between her home in Monterrey, Mexico and Europe where she races for the Belgian team , and we can’t wait to see her again on future visits to Tucson. Wherever she goes in cycling & life, the pro peloton is better for having Romina in the mix.

¡Vamos Romina! ¡Si se puede! We ❤️ you!

08/03/2026

Celebrating Homestretch alum Heidi Franz today who is racing at the Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! 🚴🏻‍♀️🌵💕 Heidi came to Homestretch in 2022 and quickly infused our residence with her signature joy, laughter, focus, discipline, hard work, grace and all the positivity she is. We LOVE Heidi. She made Homestretch better the minute she stepped inside.

“I had the privilege of being Heidi’s mentor through in the start of her pro career, and I knew this woman was destined to make a difference in women’s pro cycling,” says Homestretch founder/CEO . “Not only is Heidi physically strong and talented, but how she lifts others around her is an exceptional trait. She’s an amazing teammate and spokesperson for women, on and off the bike.”

Now, Heidi mentors the next generation at and is part of their wonderful program. We couldn’t be more proud!

We also know what a personal victory it is for Heidi to be selected for Tour de France Femmes. For two years in a row, Heidi was signed by three Pro/World Tour teams… that all financially collapsed, leaving her contract-less too many times. She was in her prime yet questioned whether to keep going or call it a day in pro cycling. Finally, in 2026, French Pro Tour team saw the light & signed Heidi! A few weeks ago, she was selected to the roster of Tour de France Femmes, a lifelong dream come true.

Heidi, a native of Bainbridge Island, WA now resides in Girona, Spain but we can’t wait to see her again on future visits to Tucson. Wherever she goes in cycling & beyond, the women’s pro peloton is better for having Heidi Franz in the mix.

Gooooooo Heidi! We ❤️ you! Enjoy these photos of Heidi at Homestretch Foundation 2022!

07/29/2026

Two Stretchies in Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! 🚴🏽‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🇲🇽🇺🇸👊💪🌵❤️ We are thrilled to announce two of our Homestretch Foundation alumna will make their first TdFF appearance at the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift:

🇺🇸 Heidi Franz racing for the French team St. Michel-Auber93 🇫🇷

🇲🇽 Romina Hinojosa racing for the Belgian team Lotto Intermarche 🇧🇪

To say we are proud is an understatement. We have watched Heidi and Romina work so hard for their dreams, and we are honored to watch them thrive at the highest, hardest level of racing in women’s cycling.

“To know Homestretch was one small step on their ladder of greatness gives us so much joy,” says Homestretch founder & CEO, Kathryn Bertine. “Heidi and Romina are exceptional women on and off the bike, and Tucson will cheering the loudest for them.”

Gooooo Heidi! ¡Vamooooos Romina! We’re with you every step/wheel of the way. So proud of you!

Aug 1-9 on Peacock/NBC in the USA. Check listings abroad at Zwift!

06/04/2026

Our 11th winter season will be Dec 1, 2026 to Mar 1, 2027. Applications open September 1. Mark your calendars! Cyclists at the UCI Pro Tour & Pro Conti levels and those striving for Olympics will be prioritized. Stay tuned for more information this summer!

🚴🏻‍♀️⛰️🌵💪💕

01/27/2026

Stretchie Alumna ride with Gabby Traxler ‘20, Mackenzie Marcinko ‘25, Camille LaFlamme ‘25 and founder Kathryn Bertine! We love how our resident-athletes return to Tucson for training because they love it here! Welcome back, Stretchies! Family Forever!

Address

Tucson, AZ

Website

http://www.HomestretchFoundation.org/

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