Community Bike Works

CBW offers several programs detailed on our website www.communitybikeworks.org The three core programs include Earn A Bike, Reading & Homework, and Peer Volunteer Instructors. In the Earn A Bike program kids sign a contract committing to a 12 week course where they learn mechanics and perform community service while earning a used bike they repair. Participants in the Reading & Homework Program are matched with an "America Reads" volunteer. Last year 60% of the participants showed a marked improvement in reading level. Some kids choose to continue as Peer Volunteer Instructors and ultimately, may be hired as paid Apprentices.

85% of the children who began our 13 week earn a bike program completed it.

<p >In partnership with the Allentown School District, Community Bike Works <strong>measures the long term impact of our programs</strong>.&nbsp;The following case studies indicate the <strong>long-term impact </strong>of our programs.</p> <p >&#183;Wilfredo was a 12-year-old street-smart kid when he came to Community Bike Works in 1996. In the early days he was often asked to leave because of his inappropriate behavior. He kept coming back and, in time, our talks impacted his behavior in a positive way. After Wilfredo graduated from the Earn a Bike program he became a youth volunteer and, later, a paid apprentice. For five years he was one of our best apprentices because he could deal effectively with kids the rest of us had trouble controlling.</p> <p >Wilfredo's personal growth and success continued as he met his goal of being mainstreamed in all classes. He went on to study at the New York Institute of Photography and opened his own business. He know goes by Will and lives and Bethlehem with his wife and children. &nbsp;He is a licensed Realtor and recently became our newest board member.</p> <p ><br /> Will wrote,<em> This program is amazing! I was involved as a child, and then as a teenager got the opportunity to volunteer and teach others. Thank you - Stefan and Community Bike Works for always believing in me even though I was a pain most of the time. <strong>You opened your door to me and gave me principles that I still keep with me till this day</strong>.&#8221;</em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p >&#183;Alani came to Community Bike Works in 1997.&nbsp;He graduated from Earn a Bike and participated in our Reading Program.&nbsp;Since then he graduated from college and opened his graphic arts business.&nbsp;He writes, "I want to help youth, like you helped me by keeping me busy with productive and insightful activities.&nbsp; You, also, helped me develop skills that are still useful to me.&nbsp;"<strong></strong></p> <p >&#183;Eleven year old "Maggie" struggled to learn fractions.&nbsp;As a youth volunteer she must divide her hours in half because half are for volunteering and half are for earning.&nbsp;We often went over the hours she worked and how to divide them.&nbsp;One day in school her class was studying dividing fractions.&nbsp;A light went on as she raised her hand to tell her teacher, &#8220;It&#8217;s like my hours at Community Bike Works!&#8221; and she was able to answer the questions. <strong></strong></p>