a.k.a Christmas Party, South Atlanta Bike Shop style

We have been battling illegal dumping of old tires in our neighborhood for a while by reporting offenders (when we catch them) and by regular neighborhood cleanup events. Recently we discovered a pile of tires dumped behind the bike shop so we decided to turn lemons into lemonade and make a race track for the kids.

We made invitations and sent them to all kids that have ever worked at the bike shop to come to the Christmas party. Despite bad weather almost 30 kids showed up ready to have fun.

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I wanted to thank you for your prayers and support. Without you we would not be able to sustain our development work in South Atlanta. There would be no bike shop and the 65+ kids (since we opened the bike shop) would not get to earn bikes or experience an environment where they are seen as valuable and capable of changing the world.

Recently I got to share the story of the bike shop at a Christmas party of a local company that significantly helps financially sustain the bike shop. As I was selecting photos for the presentation I was reminded of all the ways God has provided and grown this ministry.

When the bike shop started we didn’t have space so I held the bike shop outside.

And we didn’t have tools other than what I brought from home

Thanks to generosity of two friends we now have a 700+ sq. ft space with six work stations and a store front!

Last Saturday we took a group of bike shop kids to the Silver Comet Trail. Yes, we could have taken a ride around the neighborhood (which we do every now and then) or to the Turner field and back but we can do that any day. We wanted give them an experience outside of the neighborhood, on a real bicycle trail where real cyclist ride.

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Over the last several weeks we two television stations covered the work of our bike shop.

Written by Andrej

As we were wrapping up today’s shift (with six police officers volunteering) this image was taken, capturing the unlikely trust being built between these caring officers and urban youth of South Atlanta. THIS is why the South Atlanta Bike Shop partners with the Atlanta Police Department – so that this is the only way the officer is ever driving with the young man in the back seat.

Written by Andrej

A couple of weeks ago I got pulled over riding my tricycle down Jonesboro Rd. with my 3-year-old son in the back seat (a.k.a tool basket), on my way home from the bike shop.

The police officer approached me asking if I was the guy running the bike shop. Not the first thing I expected to hear from him.

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Written by Andrej

Last week I decided to take the bike shop mobile. I loaded up my tricycle with some bike tools, parts and a kids bike in need of repair and headed for the streets of the Historic South Atlanta. Just a few blocks into my journey I ran across a group of kids that were intrigued by the adult tricycle and the prospect of being able to earn a bicycle for themselves.

I set up shop on Thayer Ave and the boys and I brought the bicycle to working order. In the process they learned how to fix a flat tire, set the chain with the right tension, adjust front brakes and keep a bicycle properly lubed. They each got their hands dirty and in the end the bicycle was as good as new.

Boys love mechanics and fixing things. It was great to see their creativity and energy channeled in a positive way. I am praying that God continues to provide and that we are able to increase the amount of youth we impact through our program. If you believe in what we are doing please consider sponsoring an item on the list of things we need.