ST. LOUIS — There are some tremendous organizations in the St. Louis community looking to help kids reach their potential. St. Louis BWorks is one of them.
The non-profit does it by using bikes. Riding a bicycle is one of the joys of childhood.
“There is something so magical about bicycles,” said BWorks volunteer Evie Hemphill.
A bike can also be liberating.
“Bicycles are a wonderful freedom,” said volunteer T.J. Bross.
Learning to ride a bike can be one of the first big accomplishments for some kids.
“I still remember being able to just start peddling on my own with that first little push and that was really special,” Hemphill told 5 On Your Side.
Local kids are earning their special moments inside a historical building in Soulard by earning a set of wheels.
“They are spending six Saturday mornings here,” Hemphill said.
The non-profit runs a free six week program where kids get refurbished bikes by learning how they work.
“Not just the happy recipient of the bike,” said Bross.
The learning is hands on training.
“We go from learning how to take the bikes apart, put them back together, we go from start to finish through the program from basics to advanced skills,” said Bross.
But they are learning more than just how to maintain and navigate a bike.
“It’s very much about responsibility,” said Hemphill.
“This teaches them so much about being thoughtful of other people in their community,” she added.
The lessons are ones they can use off the bike too. Bross called them “transformational learning moments.” The “Earn a Bike” program is about a kid accomplishing something that may have seemed like a dream a few weeks ago.
“It’s what keeps me passionate about this,” said Hemphill.
“Every kid should have the opportunity to get out on a bike and have that freedom,” said Bross.
If you would like to learn more about the program or donate, click here.