This August, I'm participating in Raise + Ride to fundraise for Phoenix Bikes, an Arlington nonprofit that uniquely combines youth education programs with a full service bike shop. Phoenix is a fantastic organization that educates youth in grades 6-12 in bike mechanics, allows them to earn their very own bike for free, and gets them out riding, racing, and giving back to the community with their new skills.
In addition to youth programs, Phoenix donates bikes to community members in need and provides affordable sales and service.
I have had the privilege to work for Phoenix Bikes for the past two years. I say "privilege" because Phoenix is much more to me than just a job as a bike mechanic. Phoenix's mission is: "harnessing the power of bikes to help youth build passion, purpose and a place in the community." I used to see the mission statement as just a bunch of high-minded words like you see in every mission statement. But when I describe the program with the shorthand "we teach kids to fix bikes" I realize that it is so much more. Yes, we teach bike mechanics, but that is just the vehicle for teaching important life skills such as focus, perseverance, accountability, and working with others.
I used to read the book "Miss Rumphius" to my kids. The take away from the story is that we should have productive lives with lots of experiences but in the end we should leave the world a more beautiful place. That is what Phoenix Bikes means to me.
Please consider giving to help us reach our Raise + Ride goals and support a great cause!