In a world of disposable products and video games today’s youth is losing touch with their mechanical aptitude. Our Earn-A-Bike classes re-acquaint the concept of repair, provide an affordable means of transportation, promotes a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, teach safety, as well as instill self-confidence and pride. The students take apart and then learn how to rebuild a bicycle from scratch using the proper tools and techniques under the supervision of role models who double as qualified mechanics**. We have been offering Earn-a-Bike classes since the summer of 2003 to young adults from the YouthCity and YWCA afterschool programs. However the program is based on the Bikes Not Bombs Earn-a-Bike curriculum, which has been taught since 1990. The average class lasts 6-8 weeks with participants coming twice a week. Best yet, we even take it a step further by having the frames powder coated. Which transforms "someone else's old bike" into "their brand new bike". Here is a brief outline of the 6-8 week course: - Each student completely disassembles a bike in the first 2 weeks.
- They go on a field trip to the local powder coating facility to choose a new color for their bike. While they are there they see observe the powder coating process and learn about the environmental benefits of powder coating vs. traditional liquid paint.
- While they wait for their bike frames to return, they clean and polish the other parts, and learn how to true (straighten) and rebuild their wheels.
- Finally when the frames return they complete the process and learn how to rebuild their brand new looking bikes.
- While there are specific tasks that need to happen, they develop their own sense of time management – with the reality that they need to finish their bike before the end of the class.
- Upon successful completion students keep the bike they have so carefully built along with a new helmet and lock.
While not excluding anyone, we try to concentrate our efforts on children of low-income families. Giving opportunities to those who might not otherwise have a chance. In some cases this involves at-risk youth, an often overlooked demographic that we hope to help.
** We are looking for volunteers year round to teach mechanics and safe riding skills. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering with this program.
YouthCity is one of Mayor Rocky Anderson's youth programs. The program build resilience among youth by providing activities that increase self esteem and sufficiency, augment and encourage education, complement parents' efforts, teach job and life skills, foster artistic abilities and encourage physical fitness.
The YWCA of Salt Lake City has strengthened the safety, health and well-being of women and their families in the Salt Lake area through social service, social change, and women’s leadership development. Today the YWCA of Salt Lake City is at the forefront of efforts to stop family violence, and we offer an array of programs and services designed to support women in their efforts to create violence-free lives for themselves and their children.
|
