2015 ANNUAL REPORT 

 

Changing tires, Changing lives

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Freewheelin' is a 501(c)3 youth development organization that uses bicycles in many ways to capture kids' interest, engage them in activities that teach them life skills, good health habits and leadership.  The heart of the program and most often the entry point is our Earn-a-Bike program in which youth who are between the ages of 10 and 18 come in and work with a teaching mentor to learn basic bike mechanic skills, along with life skills such as delayed gratification, perseverance, problem-solving, focus and accountability.  When they finish the program, they have earned their own bike (which they have chosen from our collection of donated bikes and fixed up), a lock, a helmet and the right to progress into a leadership role. 

 

Our Freewheelin' Community Bikes Youth Cycling Team riding program takes place during the warmer six months of the year, during which we create cycling opportunities and remove financial and resource barriers for our youth to learn more about their own talents and skills through the sport of cycling. 



As our youth advance as leaders, they are given more responsibility.  Whether through employment in our Youth Employment Apprenticeship Program or as youth mentors in our Advanced Open Shop, we encourage ongoing skill and leadership development in our welcoming, safe and fun space.   



We are dedicated to the idea that hands-on , applied-skill learning really can be fun!  We hope that you will catch our spirit and want to join us - as a volunteer, as a donor, or as a customer of our full-service retail bike shop!