December 2016 marks the end of the first year of the Bikes for Refugees Initiative
This partnership between CWS Refugee Resettlement and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition program has grown quickly with the support of our community. Here are our 2016 year stats in review:
- Over $6,0000 in tax-deductible monetary donations
- We are listed in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Foundation Current Community Need List: Take a look and consider donating
- Over 90 bicycles donated to the program
- Over 50 refugees attended cycling classes and received a free bike
- Donations: We are always looking for donations, both monetary and or bicycles. DONATE TODAY
The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition would like to formally thank our many amazing volunteers and publicly acknowledging our major partner organizations who have helped new immigrants obtain self-sufficient transportation:
Wyse Cycles and Ben Wyse for his countless hours of help and for graciously opening his shop for bicycle repairs- Mole Hill Bikes for donating new helmets and fully-repaired bicycles to the program
- Massanutten Resort for dropping off 15 used bicycles
- Camp Horizons for giving the program all of their unused bicycles
- Shenandoah Bicycle Company, Rocktown Bikes, and Bluestone Bike and Run for collecting old bicycles for donation from their customers
- Pro Tested Gear for reaching out with inexpensive bicycles for the program
- Rocktown Rallies for organizing a bicycle drive in August
- Learn-A-Bike for gifting their rehabbed bicycles to Bikes for Refugees
Haven’t heard of the Bikes for Refugees Initiative? Visit our Website: svbcoalition.org/bicycles-for-refugees/
Here is a quick summary: Our program gives new Harrisonburg refugees a bicycle, helmet, bike lock, pump, and basic rider safety class. This helps our new community members safely and efficiently commute around town. Refugees in Virginia are unable to hold a driver’s license during their first year, and our city’s public transportation system does not always accommodate the needs of working households, so riding a bike can be one of the most effective ways for new residents to get to work, school, and shopping. The Bikes for Refugees Initiative is a 3-pronged program:
- We rehab donated bicycles of bike-shop quality.
- We teach competent cyclists how to navigate the streets on their newly donated bikes.
- We teach brand new riders how to ride their bikes, with the ultimate goal of bringing them through the safety course.
Interested in getting involved? Email Ritchie Vaughan, program coordinator, at:
