Mission Statement:
The primary objective of BicycleWORKS is to increase the probability of positive life outcomes for “at-risk” youths in the Saint Louis area. This is accomplished by providing them the incentive and opportunity to develop their academic, vocational, and social skills through our Earn-A-Bike Program.
The Organization:
Saint Louis BicycleWORKS is an entirely volunteer-run 501(3)c not-for-profit organization. A Shaw Neighborhood resident founded BicycleWORKS in 1988 to give area “at-risk” youths a place to develop skills, interact with peers and caring adults, and safely challenge the limits of their abilities. In 1996, the BicycleWORKS’ board of directors decided to increase the scope of its mission by expanding beyond the bicycle. Computers were introduced as a new teaching tool and ByteWORKS was created based on the BicycleWORKS model. This year we added BookWORKS, a literacy enhancement program where kids improve their reading and writing skills by creating books. The collection of all these programs is known as BWORKS. We share basic organizational infrastructure, such as a board of directors, insurance, finances, bookkeeping, and physical location. Otherwise, we operate independently towards the common goal of improving lives of Saint Louis youth.
Board of Directors:
The BWORKS board of directors provide senior leadership to the volunteer staff and insure that legal and financial responsibilities are properly executed. Board members are required to be volunteers, and have been selected based on their willingness to serve and leadership experience. Board meetings occur monthly to keep track of finances, handle administrative concerns, and pro-actively shepherd the maintenance and development of the kids’ programs. BWORKS is currently recruiting potential board members with the appropriate experience to help further our mission and improve both of our organizations, please email Eduardo Martinez for more information. The current board includes:
| BWORKS Board Officers: | BWORKS Board Members: |
| President: Eduardo Martinez | Eric Di Fate |
| Chris Schmitz | |
| Vice President: Bill Hartnett | Clarence Johnson |
| Jolie Mackney | |
| Secretary: Susan Turk | Jenny Wynn |
| Richard Fonner | |
| Treasurer: Paul Benne | Joe Feld |
| Matt Dunn | |
| Dave Schepers | |
| Karen Franz Cohen | |
| Patrick Van Der Tuin |
ByteWORKS:
ByteWORKS is located next door to BicycleWORKS at 4100 Shenandoah Avenue. The Earn-A-Computer classes is a free program taught by volunteers for youths who would like to learn more about computers. The child must attend a series of two hour classes where they learn the basics about computer hardware, operating systems, desktop navigation, and various applications such as word processing, computer graphics, spreadsheets, internet browsers, and e-mail. Like the Earn-A-Bike program, upon successful completion of the classes each child receives a refurbished computer to take home. Software is included with the computer to help the child with their computer skills and school work.
Please visit the ByteWORKS website for more information about volunteering or enrolling a child in the course.
BookWORKS:
BWORKS is pleased to announce the kick-off of a new pilot program in 2010. BookWORKS is a literacy improvement program where we will be teaching kids to read and write by creating books. Visit the website for more information: http://www.bookworks.bworks.org/
If you are interested in the program and would like to volunteer please email Phoebe Love at bookworks@bworks.org
