WATCH: This free nine-week program allows students not only to work on a bike but also they get to keep it as a free way to travel around the city.
TORONTO – Charlie’s FreeWheels is a non-profit organization committed to fostering a spirit of exploration in today’s youth.
The main focus of the organization is its free, nine-week Build-A-Bike program.
“It was created to give kids an opportunity to own a bike by doing it for themselves,” said Sohel Imani, the lead mechanic for Charlie’s.
“It means a lot more than just buying a normal bike,” said Jaden Saunders, a participant of the Build-A-Bike program.
The workshops not only teach children and teens how to build their own bike by refurbishing a new one, but they also provide instruction on basic mechanics and safe riding skills.
“We’re trying to teach the kids self-reliance,” said Imani. “I’m trying to get the kids to understand that… just by building a bike and riding it around the city, they are being active members of the city, and that’s a really helpful tool towards their empowerment.”
Ian Davidson is a special education teacher at Queen Alexandra Middle School, whose class participated in the program.
“My kids need to have that hands-on approach to building a bike, and seeing what they’ve done and taking that pride into it is phenomenal for these kids,” he said. “I see a big difference in their school work… they realize, ‘hey, this is my work. I wanna take pride into it.'”
Imani believes that this program is making a difference in youth’s lives.
“Not every kid’s gonna stay on their bike, but even one more kid who wants to ride his bike for the next 20 years, then I feel like we’ve done something here that’s important.”
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