Building Bikes, Building Futures
As a result of a brainstorm and with support from community members, FITaos staff and volunteers have engaged Taos Day School students in reconditioning donated bicycles to own and/or give away to other members of the Taos Pueblo community in need of bicycle transportation since 2022. Taos Day School is a Bureau of Indian Education school in rural Northern New Mexico. This program operates weekly throughout the school year and serves middle school aged indigenous youth from Taos Pueblo. The underlying purposes of Building Bikes, Building Futures are to develop several life skills in the students we serve, in addition to experiencing team building skills and community service concepts. Throughout the world, this type of program has been referred to as an Earn-a-Bike program. We refer to it as a youth development program because it is about so much more than just bikes.
The life skills we focus on include: problem solving, observational skills, decision making and goal persistence, helping and working with others, understanding personal behaviors related to learning challenges and learning styles, and being of service to others. One student who has been with the program since its inception, participated in job-readiness mentoring, and now serves the other students as a program assistant. Simply having fun, learning useful skills, and igniting the students’ sparks through an activity that brings them joy has been the focus of Building Bikes, Building Futures.
Student feedback is consistently positive “You changed my life.” “Now I can sleep later in the mornings and get myself to school.” “I’m going to ride my bike until the tires fall off.” “Thank you for helping us fix bikes so I can ride around and have fun with my sister and friends.” “It’s really fun and awesome! My favorite part about building the bikes was starting and finishing it and now I have a new bike. Thanks .” Another student was filled with as she took a bike home to give to her cousin as a surprise birthday gift. The smiles and pride as students learn so many skills shines through every day.
We welcome support and are always looking for donated bikes, bike parts and tools, and funding to support the program. Feel free to reach out with questions.
Susie Fiore – Bike Program Director
info@fitaos.org
575-770-2391
