Women Bike PHL #10: Janique from Neighborhood Bike Works

Janique is a graduate of Neighborhood Bike Works’ Earn-a-Bike program, and continues to volunteer at NBW regularly.

Tell me how you got interested in bikes; what made you come to Neighborhood Bike Works for the first time?
A few years ago, a man named Leonard, who is still a close friend, was running a nonprofit program for the children around the neighborhood where we lived and he was taking kids on field trips and bringing them here during the school year to join Earn-A-Bike. One day he asked if I wanted to go, and I said yes, and he brought me here and I just started and I continued to return after I graduated from the class.

What did you think would happen when you came to Neighborhood Bike Works for the first time? Did you think you would get excited about bikes?
I was already excited about it. I'm a very active person and I like hands-on things, and I already knew I was going to be interested and really involved in bike related activities.

What's your favorite part about working with bikes?
It's a positive thing I feel. This is a skill for me, and I didn't really have anything else to do so I invested my time a lot into learning about the maintenance and repair of bikes. I really enjoyed learning about it and I enjoyed coming here and I just got into it.

How many hours a week would you say you spend working on bikes, riding bikes, etc?
In my youth I used to ride everywhere. I came to Bike Works every day, I always did something with a bike. I don't know, maybe 2 or 3 hours, I used to volunteer here and take classes.

What kinds of rides do you do?
Way back when, when I was first getting into it, I'd just do short rides from my house to here, or any rides that NBW was coordinating, so not any heavy long stuff, but just to and fro places within a few miles.

Have you been on any longer rides?
Twice I went on the yearly fundraising ride that NBW holds called the Ride of Dreams. It's 200-some miles from here to DC. Last year we did from here to the Poconos.

Are there any projects that you're especially proud of that you've done here? A bike that you built, a tricky mechanical problem that you figured out?
I do that a lot when I come here and volunteer. A lot of the adults I feel look up to me as like a second opinion-type person. Like Liz here, she's adequate. (laughs)

Liz: I think I'd get a D grade. [Note: Liz Pisarczyk is NBW's Program Director]

Donate Your Bike At The Trenton Ave Arts Festival This Saturday

The Trenton Ave Arts Festival is happening this Saturday from noon - 5:00 pm in Kensington. We will be there, as will hundreds of other vendors, organizations, musicians, and food trucks.

Neighborhood Bike Works will also be there, and they will be holding a bike drive for their programming. Have an old bike you no longer use? Donate it to their youth programming!

Neighborhood Bike Works is a fabulous organization endowing urban youth in Philadelphia with educational, recreational, and career-building activities and opportunities through bicycling. Give that unused bicycle in your garage or basement a new sense of purpose by donating it to NBW this Saturday.

Neighborhood Bike Works' Annual Bike Sale This Weekend

Neighborhood Bike Works is having their annual big bike sale this Saturday in West Philly. If you're looking for a cheap bicycle, this is a good chance to pick one up while supporting Neighborhood Bike Works. Note that many of the bikes will require some love before becoming trusty steeds. Below are details of the event:

We have a huge selection of bikes, including mountain bikes, cruisers, road bikes, BMX, & kids bikes. All of our bikes are reasonably priced, ranging from $25-$300. There's a bike for everyone - students, community members, everyone in the family. All bikes will be sold in "as is" condition and may need repair work. Community members are always invited to our Adult Repair Co-op nights where you can work on your bike. This is a rain or shine event. All proceeds of the sale benefit Neighborhood Bike Works' youth education programs.

 ~from the NBW website

Neighborhood Bike Works Job Opening: Part-Time Bookkeeper

Neighborhood Bike Works is looking for a part-time bookkeeper. If you are a bookkeeper and are interested in the position, contact NBW Executive Director Erin DeCou at erin@neighborhoodbikeworks.org

Here are a list of job requirements and responsibilities:

Here's Your Chance To Work For The Best Bike Works In The Neighborhood

Neighborhood Bike Works is hiring! They are looking for a Program Director and an Office Manager. Both are full-time positions based in West Philly, and are set to start in mid-August. See below for descriptions provided by NBW, and find more information here.

Program Director – This management position assumes primary responsibility for directing and developing all youth and adult programs and supervises program staff. The Program Director works with the Executive Director, the Development Coordinator, and the Office Manager as part of the leadership team, sets strategic direction for NBW’s programs, and establishes goals and outcomes measurements. The position represents our agency and programs to funders, clients, partners and the public at large, and interacts with the Board, other staff and volunteers.

Start Date: August 13, 2012

Office Manager – The Office Manager will provide oversight and coordination for the administrative systems of Neighborhood Bike Works, and manages the facilities operations of the 40th Street headquarters. The Office Manager works directly with the Executive Director in the areas of basic financial management and bookkeeping, creating and implementing systems for ordering supplies and tracking retail operations, and overseeing communications and public relations activities. This position requires an extremely organized and motivated individual who can delegate tasks and see projects through to completion.
Start Date: August 15, 2012

Child Bike Helmet Giveaway In Haddington Neighborhood This Wednesday

Do you live in the Haddington section of Philadelphia and have a child who rides bicycles? You can pick up a free children's bike helmet and fitting this Wednesday as part of the Kohl's Injury Prevention Program.

 More information below:

Kohl's Injury Prevention Program at CHOP will be holding a free child's helmet giveaway and fitting at the Neighborhood Bike Works Haddington location. The event is in honor of NBW's Build-a-Bike program graduates and the ongoing partnership between Kohl's and CHOP.

Date: Wednesday, December 22nd
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Location: Neighborhood Bike Works - Haddington / 230 N. Salford Street, Philadelphia PA (near 60th & Vine)

Also if you're a fan of oversized checks (and who isn't?), Kohl's will be presenting CHOP with an oversized check for $637,125 to support the hospital's injury prevention programs.

Bike+Shark: Camden Riversharks Supporting Neighborhood Bike Works August 11th

Want to catch a Riversharks game and support Neighborhood Bike Works?  Yeaaaaaah you do!  Well now there's a way to get both done in the same 2.5 hour window.

What would a fixed-gear shark look like?  Just thinking aloud here.

The deal: buy a special ticket to the 7:05 pm Camden Riversharks' game on Thursday, August 11th.  $5 of your $11 ticket will go towards Neighborhood Bike Works, who are terrific.  The tickets are in section 202, so you can sit with other NBW supporters, admire the Ben Franklin Bridge, and heckle the visiting York Revolution.

Instructions:
1. Visit riversharks.com and click on the "Riversharks Fundraising Program Log-In" link (right side of the screen).
2. Enter the code: NBW
3. Select your tickets
4. Join NBW for a really awesome time on Aug. 11!


Wanna do it all social-like?  Invite friends via the NBW Facebook event page for the game.

Neighborhood Bike Works Needs A New Captain

Neighborhood Bike Works is seeking a new full-time Executive Director.  Current ED Kitty Heite is stepping down this fall after a distinguished commission at the helm.

Below is the job description for the position.  NBW is accepting applications until July 31st.

NBW ED Job Posting 2011

Wanted: Program Manager for NBW North Philly

Neighborhood Bike Works, North Philadelphia is looking for a Program Manager! The Program Manager is responsible for teaching Earn a Bike classes, maintaining contacts with families and community partners, and coordinating all youth programs at the North Philly location. This position would start in July 2011. If you are interested, please send resume and cover letter to Kitty Heite at kitty@neighborhoodbikeworks.org with "Program Manager" as the subject line. You may also call 215-386-0316.

Minimum requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
2. 2 years of youth work experience either paid or volunteer
3. Enthusiasm for cycling a must!
4. Excellent organizational and communication skills

Preferred:

1. Education or significant experience in the fields of Education, Social Work or Non-Profit administration
2. Direct service with underserved populations
3. Connections to the area around our shop (1426 N. Susquehanna Ave)
4. 4. Bike mechanic experience.

Hours: Flexible, must be able to work Saturdays and some weeknight hours. 30-35 hours/week.

Compensation: $12/hour to start, eligible for raise and health benefits after 90 days.

A Youth Bike Program In Norristown?

Cyclist Lisa Graves has established a blog to facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources to help establish a bicycle related youth program in Norristown. http://norristowncyclists.wordpress.com.

She invites readers to submit ideas by posting in the comments section.

One possibility - Neighborhood Bike Works President Leland Mayne posted expressing interest in establishing a Norristown chapter if the resources and workspace can be found. NBW already has a chapter in Chester.

Neighborhood Bike Works Short Film At International House

A film about Neighborhood Bike Works, created, filmed and edited by youth at the Haddington location alongside NBW instructor Mustafa Abdul-Rashid will make its debut at International House on December 8 3701 Chestnut St, on Monday, December 8, at 7:00pm.

This film is a partnership with Scribe Video Center, as part of its Community Visions program, admission is free. For more information see the NBW blog.