All Ages Partnership Forges Meaningful Connections and Outcomes
We’re called Youth en Route
They are Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society.
You’d think that these opposites wouldn’t go together, but we’ve shown that organizational values are more important than age groups.
And that’s why our partnership is unique, and delivers benefits to both young and old alike.
“It was a match made in heaven” said Bent Nielsen, a volunteer with the Bike Shed at the GFL55+ society, “We had no idea who to give repaired bikes to, but I love repairing them. This partnership created a connection and a working pipeline that benefits all sides: Youth en Route, Bike Shed and those who are in need of the active ways of transport”.
Our cooperation began early 2022 when Nielsen saw a news story featuring Youth en Route. He reached out and within a year, 200 bikes refurbished in the Bike Shed went to multiple high schools, including James Fowler, Lester B. Pearson, Crescent Heights, Bishop McNally, Forest Lawn, Robert Thirsk, and a Calgary Board of Education middle school. Bikes are being used in Physical Education, Outdoor Education, with English Language Learners and in bike clubs like the “Wolves on Wheels” at Bishop McNally.
“I am very happy to contribute to such a cause, I believe it is very important to empower students to learn through biking, from the importance of safety to the significance of this active mode of transportation”. said Merv Graham, the unofficial organizer at the Bike Shed.
The partnership continued into the 2022/23 school year, with another 200 bikes delivered. Over 1000 students received access to bikes to learn skills and experience the joy of riding a bike. Four more schools have asked for bikes for next year.
Reflecting on their accomplishments, Graham admits that they had no idea of the extent of their impact until they witnessed the number of bikes they were able to refurbish and distribute to schools. And he was amazed.
Adaptive bikes roll from the Bike Shed too
When Youth en Route wanted to add adult tricycles to the school fleets, the Bike Shed jumped in to assemble them, saving hundreds of dollars on each bike. Because of this, we are able to purchase more trikes.
These adaptive tricycles make a significant impact for Special Education students, ensuring that all kids with all capabilities have the opportunity to cycle.
Bike Shed Volunteer Glen Bishop, an avid cyclist who rode his own bikes to work year-round for over three decades, took the lead on the adaptive bike projects. He’s assembled eight of the trikes, and has shortened the assembly of the tricycles down to an hour.
Bishop’s innovative skills came in handy when Youth en Route sought ways to improve adaptive tricycles. Using hollow walking canes provided by Youth en Route, he skillfully added an assistant brake to the tricycles. This enhanced the functionality of the tricycles and ensured the safety of students with disabilities.
With over 55 years of tinkering experience, Bishop said that he “felt [he] could contribute to this worthy cause, helping expose people, especially youth, to the fun and beauty of self-propelled freedom and independence.”
Men’s shed’s carpentry skills support bikes too!
After providing our first fleet at Lester Pearson High school. Youth en Route realized the schools had a storage problem. How do you put 40 bikes in a storage container or classroom? Another group at the GFLs 55+ came to the rescue.
Enthusiastic handyman Bill Diprose invented vertical racks that can hold bikes and be configured to meet any space requirements. The best feature is they can be secured together and stand freely. These were places in classrooms and C-cans contributing to the success of the initiative and biking programs.
Diprose recognizes the broader importance of bikes in today’s world and thinks that the biggest accomplishment of the Bike Shed, the Men’s Shed and Youth en Route collaboration is getting bikes to school children. This objective aligns perfectly with the core mission of Youth en Route, and the Bike Shed is proud to contribute to this goal.
The importance of sustainability
Youth en Route and the GFLS 55+ are both committed to sustainability and advocacy of a green environment.
Together, we champion the usage of active and sustainable modes of transportations. But we also both find creative ways to reuse unrepairable bicycles by repurposing the parts.
For example, YER repurpose chain covers for our YER Design bike rack. And on their part, GFLS 55+ assembled a BIKE BIKE rack that reuses the cracked bike frames to create more stations for bike parking.
By such recycling initiatives, the organizations contribute to keeping the Earth healthy for future generations and reducing waste.
“Not everyone can afford a car, and bikes are increasingly crucial for transportation. By helping people repair and maintain their bikes, the community’s sustainability and accessibility are strengthened” said Bill Diprose, a Board Member and volunteer at the Men’s Shed.
Positive outcomes from this partnership
While not directly involved with the Men’s Shed or the Bike Shed initiatives, NormaJean Doucet, the executive director takes care of the financial and administrative aspects of the community center. She stands by this collaboration because of the incredible positive outcomes it has brought to the community.
Living in a neighborhood with a concentration of low-income families, Doucet recognizes the importance of providing support and opportunities to mature adults who may not have families to check up on them. The presence of the center offers a welcoming space where mature adults can gather, share their knowledge, and form meaningful connections.
Doucet has worked in mental health and addictions centers before and firmly believes that the partnership between the GFLS 55+ and Youth en Route holds the potential to divert youth from addiction. By providing a safe and inclusive environment, this initiative becomes a safe space for young individuals, pulling them away from negative influences and peer pressures.
“These types of initiates have to start before the addictions and issues start. Such partnership is fostering a sense of belonging and purpose for individuals of all ages within the community,” said Doucet.
We are proud and thankful for achievements through this outstanding partnership. We would not be able to do what we do without the Men’s Shed and the Bike Shed from GFLS 55+. This collaboration shows the incredible impact we can have when we work together towards a common goal. We hope this initiative will become a multi-generational partnership that keeps benefiting all ages.
In addition…
Bent Nielsen asked to include Catherine Ford’s article in the Calgary Herald, “Stampede’s importance still felt decades later”. She implies her message every year on her experience of the Calgary Stampede ever since becoming a writer and winning a bicycle in a stampede draw at 5 years old. Check it out: https://epaper.calgaryherald.com/article/281672554409230
