Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement Earn-A-Bike Program | Springfield College

Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement Earn-A-Bike Program

The Earn-A-Bike program is another example of the Humanics philosophy at the College, a commitment to leadership and service to others.

The Earn-A-Bike program is another example of the Humanics philosophy at the College, a commitment to leadership and service to others.

 

The Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement is hosting a six-week program this summer that teaches youth, ages nine and older, how to repair bikes and promote bike safety. The Earn-A-Bike program is another example of the Humanics philosophy at the College, a commitment to leadership and service to others.

Each Wednesday through August 14, participants can work with Springfield College staff and students from 2 to 4 p.m. to guide them through how to fix a bike and how to ride safely. At the end of the program, the participants can keep the bike they assisted fixing up.

"You can put in six weeks of time and at the end, the Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement provides the bike," said Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement Director Charlene Elvers. 

Multiple local organizations have helped donate the bikes the kids can choose from as part of the program, including the Mercy Medical Center.

"We have a variety of sizes and styles," added Elvers. "Kids can go through them, and pick out the bike that best fits their needs."

The current program originated from a meeting Elvers had with members of the Springfield-based organization called RAD Springfield, an organization that assists in bike repair and safety. RAD Springfield helped with a community bike shop at the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, which transitioned into the Earn-A-Bike program, to try and increase the number of participants.

"We are very excited about the progress of the program," continued Elvers. "It's been great to watch the kids have so much pride when working on the bikes, the program just continues to get better and better."

For more information, contact Elvers at celvers@springfieldcollege.edu.