It’s called the Everyone Rides program, a project of the District 69 Family Resource Association (FRA), a non-profit, charitable organization that serves families, youth and children, at no cost. The organization has partnered with PASS/Woodwinds Alternate School to help tune-up the bikes. The program began last year and has allowed the FRA to give out bikes to toddlers, students and adults that may not otherwise be able to have a bike.
“It’s great when the community members come and donate them and then to see how much they are appreciated and needed and how useful they are in our community — it’s just a really wonderful program,” said Donna Jager, youth services co-ordinator at the FRA.
Jager said the idea came from their executive director Deborah Joyce, and then Jager began to see a real need for it in the community, so they sprung into action. Transportation is a problem for many people in District 69 and this is one way to help address the problem, she said.
A 15-year-old student from PASS named Kyle Johnson did some work experience at Arrowsmith Bikes last year and has a real aptitude for mechanics, said child and youth care worker at PASS/Woodwinds, Paul Boyle. Johnson will mentor other students at the school to work on the bikes and those students will receive credit toward their school completion.
The program is looking for bikes for any age group that are in good working order. They are also in need of temporary storage for the bikes, if someone has an empty garage or shop space they are willing to donate for usage. Anyone who has a bike or needs a bike can contact Jager at donna@d69fra.org or 250-752-6766. Visit www.d69fra.org for more on the FRA.