In partnership with the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative of East Atlanta, the Task Force is currently developing an Earn-a-Bike Program, which will be open to any and all people served by the Task Force. SOPO was created with the belief that every person deserves free and equal access to transportation, and its founder, Rachael Spiewak, is a major player in reaching out, with that belief, to the community.
Operating a small bike shop in the basement of our building, clients and volunteers will teach each other about bicycle maintenance and safety while earning shop hours. After completing volunteer shop hours, a client will be eligible to earn his own bicycle equipped with lights, locks, a helmet and water bottle. Once the bike is his, it can be used however he sees fit – to get to work, family, doctor appointments, etc. Clients will also be eligible to earn bikes by meeting other criteria, such as sustaining full-time employment.
The primary goal of the Task Force’s Earn-a-Bike Program is to give residents and clients a free, sustainable, and convenient way to get around the city, bridging the gap that exists right now between access and income. The Program is built on each person’s ability to maintain his bike on his own, and after learning from our program, his ability to pass that knowledge on to others. The Task Force is grateful to the SOPO Bicycle Cooperative, who will provide support for the program through volunteers, assistance with donations, and developing a bicycle safety and maintenance curriculum.
Right now, our program is new and we are looking for support. To get the program up and running, we need donations of bikes, bike parts, locks, helmets, water bottles, messenger bags, time, skills, knowledge and financial contributions.
To find out how you can help, please contact Jeremy Wisham at
jeremy@homelesstaskforce.org
or 404-230-5000 ext#126.
