Earn-A-Bike  This very popular program for middle school youngsters is a positive youth development program that uses the bicycle as a tool for teaching valuable life skills.  In our workshops, hundreds of area boys and girls, ages 11-14 have been taught to repair, maintain and ride their bikes safely.  The youngsters choose used bikes, donated by community-minded residents, and are then given one-on-one instruction by volunteers and staff over a 3-week period (five sessions per workshop).  Bike safety is continually stressed and is formally presented at one session by officers from the  Danbury Police Bike Patrol Unit.  Once participants complete the workshop, they have earned the right to keep the bikes they have repaired.  They also receive certificates of completion, new helmets and other promotional items.  Community Service Credit is an option in the program.  Youngsters may earn credit for scouts, school, clubs, or religious activities.  They still fully participate in the program.  However, instead of receiving a bike, they earn credit hours.  The bikes they fix will be donated to families in need or to other charitable organizations.  The program is provided at no cost to the youngsters or their families.

Here is one of our success stories!