THE POWER OF A BIKE
2023-24 Impact Report
THE POWER OF A BIKE
Dear Friends,
Since Bearings’ inception in 2010, the Bearings community has been spreading a love of all things “bike” through everything we do. And while it’s been all about bikes, it’s also been “not about the bikes.” We were fortunate to stumble upon and realize THE POWER OF A BIKE as we used them for life impact at Bearings Bike Works.
Our model for impact primarily uses bikes as a skill-building tool in our programs, and yet we continue to fall more in love with riding every day It’s a great way to recreate, exercise, travel, bring joy to the rider, and is a powerful connection point, drawing people from diverse backgrounds together through a common bond.
And let’s face it, riding a bike is a blast Nearly everyone remembers that magical moment when they learned to ride a bike and felt the accomplishment and freedom that it brings. For most of us, riding a bike brings joy on many levels
DRIVING IMPACT ALL YEAR LONG
At Bearings, the fun that youth have while riding a bike drops barriers (e.g., “learning isn’t fun”) and is the bridge to so many other important program elements That bike magic envelops all that we do at Bearings – bringing a sense of accomplishment as youth earn their bikes through hard work then ride bikes for fun, a sense of freedom, and their own transportation in the community
The past year was a landmark in terms of youth engagement, growth, and service to the broader Atlanta community. We’re so grateful for the community of donors, customers, and families who partner to make this work happen. This year, we want to give a special thanks to our “Gear Shifters,” those who believe deeply in the work at hand and invest monthly with us to serve our community Consider joining us if you’re able! We hope you’ll enjoy this update and celebrate with us all that is happening at and through Bearings. Thank you!
Our Gear Shifters’ ongoing monthly contributions enable us to provide essential programs and resources, empowering young people to learn new skills, build confidence, and achieve their full potential Scan here to learn more and join!
BECOME A GEAR SHIFTER
CRUSHING IT: INTRODUCING A NEW PROGRAM IN 2023
It’s no secret that kids at Bearings love riding their bikes But what’s the next step if someone wants to go beyond neighborhood bike riding?
In 2023, Bearings introduced a pathway to get kids from recreational riding into competitive cycling And the first step in that journey is Bearings’ newest program: Cone Crusher Bike Clinics.
In these fun, 60- to 90-minute clinics, elementary-aged youth learn advanced bike handling, body positioning, and on-the-bike techniques that advance their riding skills. From braking and cornering, to developing “trail eyes” and improving their bike-body separation skills, youth learn the fundamentals to prepare for mountain biking on the trails It’s not fun or safe to put kids directly onto a trail system without proper training and skill development. Cone Crusher begins to do just that while also giving youth a chance to develop relationships with coaches and other riders as they build confidence on the bike
While Bearings primarily uses bikes as a skill-building tool in its programming, bike riding can be powerful in many other ways. It’s a great way to recreate and exercise, and is a meaningful connection point, drawing people from diverse backgrounds together through a common bond.
These clinics also create a natural pipeline into the 2023 competitive mountain biking season
In July, eleven Bearings riders began training and advancing their skills in preparation for the Georgia Cycling Association competitive race series. The team joined thousands of other youth from around the state of Georgia for races September through October
JARI’S STORY: UNLOCKING A NEW LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE
Bearings’ 2023 mountain biking season was Jari’s first time being on a cycling team, and the first time he spent an extended amount of time on a bike Jari had to learn nearly everything from standing up on the pedals, to shifting, and even braking.
Jari isn’t new to competition; in fact, he’s a multi-sport athlete But he says that participation on Bearings’ mountain biking team helped him gain a new level of confidence in his abilities. He also showed perseverance on the trail, continuing to work on his skills, even when he encountered setbacks
“I perfected my start by pushing myself during practices,” he said. “The biking season helped me become more confident with myself.”
Heading into 8th grade, Jari has his sights set on qualifying for the Georgia Cycling Association’s championship race in the upcoming season. We’re excited to see which challenges he can overcome next!
INCREASING ACCESS TO THE SPORT OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
We’re seeing so much enthusiasm and momentum within the world of mountain biking in Atlanta, and our goal is to continue to break down barriers and increase access to this exciting sport for the youth we serve. By providing infrastructure, equipment, and coaching, we give kids and teens in the city the opportunity to experience the excitement and joy cycling can bring, as they learn valuable skills to help them succeed on the trail and beyond.
SPECIAL PROJECT: AEROTROPOLIS NATURE PARK
In 2023, Bearings partnered with MTB Atlanta, Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land, and the Georgia Cycling Association to design and construct Aerotropolis Nature Park, a 48-acre park and trail system optimized for youth and new riders, located 20 minutes from Bearings’ campus The park features a 2 5-mile trail and a skills development area, which Bearings’ youth mountain biking program will use for practice and programming. This project significantly enhances our ability to expand cycling programs for urban youth.
HIGHLIGHTS
CONNECTING OVER SUPPER
For the second summer, Bearings hosted weekly Community Suppers on Thursday nights following our youth programming in 2023 These meals create space for conversation and to build meaningful relationships, helping kids and families connect to Bearings and to one another beyond the bike.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
SPREADING THE WORD
One of the amazing ways individuals, groups, and businesses support Bearings throughout the year is by hosting bike drives. Bike drives are a fun way to collect bikes for Bearings and spread the word about our impact Last year, J Rich Atlanta, Pedal Norcross, Smart Smyrna, SouthSide Cycling Club, and HighGrove Landscaping hosted drives to support our work!
Bike Builds are another great way for corporate partners to engage with Bearings These experiences combine team-building with the opportunity to give back and provide leadership opportunities for our young adult leaders. We enjoyed hosting both Inspire Brands & SubZero for builds in 2023. Learn more at bearingsbikeworks.org/bike-builds.
BIKES FOR A CAUSE
Last year, Bearings was able to provide over 75 bikes for partner organizations to extend their impact through collaboration. Partners included New American Pathways, providing transportation for newly settled refugees, Focused Community Strategies’ “Pride for Parents” holiday market, and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation
BBQ & BREW
On October 1, 2023, we heard many meaningful stories of impact from program participants, parents, staff and board members, and got exciting updates on Bearings’ work at our annual BBQ & Brew fundraiser Last year’s event brought in $150,000 to help support the exciting growth in our skills development programs in the year ahead.
NCL QUALIFIER
On Saturday, August 19, 2023, Bearings hosted the National Cycling League’s Team Qualifier race at our campus in southwest Atlanta. This free, familyfriendly event featured NCL’s exciting qualifying sprints ahead of their August 20th race It was a great opportunity to engage with the professional cycling community and continue to strengthen partnerships.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FRAMEWORKS
TODDRICK’S STORY: FROM FIRST BIKE TO FRAMEWORKS FELLOW
Nearly a decade later, Toddrick still remembers his first bike. It was a small, purple bike that he earned when he was just 11 years old and a participant in the Skills for Life program. It’s a special memory for him. Today, Toddrick gets to help create those special moments for kids in the same program as well as customers in Bearings’ retail shop
Toddrick has worked diligently through our programs -- starting in Skills for Life as a kid, joining the summer internship as a teen, and now working full-time as a Fellow in Bearings’ 12-18-month job training program for young adults.
In addition to the mechanical skills and leadership abilities Toddrick has developed, he also points to what Bearings calls “soft skills” that he’s honed through his training. Communication is key; he admits that it wasn’t a strong suit when he first started, but says that he now feels confident in his communication skills. He also points to the perseverance he’s developed -- how to not give up, even when he’s faced with a challenge.
From the start of students’ involvement in Skills for Life all the way through our Frameworks internship and beyond, Bearings celebrates the dignity of work Today, Toddrick’s dependability and work ethic are assets to the Bearings team and the community as a whole and are a testament to the personal fulfillment that comes from working and contributing to a cause beyond yourself
WHAT IS FRAMEWORKS?
Frameworks is a workforce development program for teens and young adults that creates skill-building opportunities through real-life work experience in the context of a bike shop. In addition to on-the-job training, teens participate in career and personal development opportunities like financial literacy classes, advanced mechanical training, and vocational field trips. Frameworks functions as both a summer internship for high schoolers and a 12-18month Fellowship for young adults. We believe that employment skills are best learned experientially through on-the-job training from caring adults, where skills and attitudes are formed through experience and coaching.
“Toddrick is the kind of guy you can depend on to be there. (He) knows what it takes to get the job done and he doesn’t mind doing it.”
- JASON SCROGGINS, PROGRAM MANAGER
Toddrick, age 11
BRINGING SKILLS TO LIFE
Skills for Life is Bearings’ after-school drop-in program where fun, learning, and personal growth all come together in a unique and engaging bike shop setting. As the “front door” to Bearings programs, Skills for Life draws kids into a space where they learn to build and repair bikes, earn a bike of their own, build confidence, and learn skills to help them be successful in life. From fine-tuning gears to mastering the art of wheel truing, there’s always something new to discover. Plus, we don’t just focus on bike skills; we're all about building soft skills too – like teamwork, communication, and perseverance
We saw incredible engagement in our Skills for Life program last year. Over 300 kids stepped through our doors, excited to wrench on bikes and build relationships with staff, coaches, and peers In 2023, 85% of youth surveyed reported that they have a positive developmental relationship with at least one adult at Bearings. These relationships are building blocks for the future and provide support to students during their critical growing-up years As one parent shared recently: “Bearings is where ‘kids earn bikes,’ but it’s a lot more than that. {It’s where kids} find a safe place where they’re loved, safe, and challenged.”
We’re hearing regularly from parents about their need for quality after-school enrichment for their children. We’re excited to share more of their recent feedback with you that shows just how powerful a bike can be in a young person’s life.
BEARINGS IS WHERE…
“MY KID FOUND HIS HAPPY PLACE.”
“MY CHILD GOES TO GAIN SKILLS THAT HELP WITH MOTIVATION AND CONFIDENCE.”
“YOU BUILD A BIKE TODAY FOR A SMOOTHER RIDE TOMORROW.”
“YOUNG PEOPLE GET TOGETHER FOR POSITIVE RESULTS.”
Feedback from parents in a 2023 survey.
THEPOWEROFABIKE:BEARINGS’MODELFORIMPACT
Bearings’programsaredesignedtoinstillthevalue ofworkandequipyoungpeoplewiththeskillsand characterneededtosucceedintheworkplace.Thisis howourprogramsworktogethertoachievethosegoals
01
STARTING LINE
Kids connect with Bearings through the draw to earn a bike or connect with friends in a fun environment.
02
LEARNING TO BALANCE
03
CONQUERING THEHILL
126
LEVEL ADVANCEMENTS DEMONSTRATING SKILL MASTERY AND CONFIDENCE GROWTH
SkillsforLifeand ConeCrusher introducethe valueofworkand buildingskillsin childhoodand beyond
As students progress in skill development through Skills for Life or the Mountain Biking program, positive adult role models encourage, challenge, and support students in their growth and push them to forge a path forward in life Work ethic, skill mastery, and confidence grow through experience
04
CROSSINGTHE FINISHLINE
In our capstone program, Frameworks, teens and young adults further advance their skills in a workplace environment and experience the fruit of working: adding value in a real-life workplace setting, earning money, and discovering how their gifts and talents have prepared them to step into the workplace confidently and with skills
SKILLS FOR LIFE IMPACT AT-A-GLANCE
4,257
HOURS SPENT LEARNING {UP 53% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR}
66 BIKES EARNED
85% OF YOUTH SURVEYED REPORTED HAVING A HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A BEARINGS LEADER
100% OF DONOR DOLLARS GO DIRECTLY TO COMMUNITY IMPACT
Offering full-service repair work and restored bicycles for sale, Bearings Sales and Service department is both a unique environment for skill development and an important earned income stream for Bearings’ operations This work is only possible because of the generous donations of bicycles, components, and gear from hundreds of donors every year. Bearings is grateful for our enthusiastic and loyal customer base, which has helped steadily grow this important service to our community
This past year, Bearings took our sales operations online and launched a store through the eBay platform, offering highquality parts and gear for sale We’re thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity to purchase with a purpose to cyclists from all over the country who can support our programs in this unique way!
Bearings is able to cover administrative and fundraising expenses through these and other earned-income streams. We’re thrilled that 100% of donations support programmatic efforts, making donor dollars go further for community impact Bearings is also proud to be 100% privately funded and does not take government funding at any level.
$1,418,734 EXPENSES $1,260,385
This Annual Report reflects Bearings Bike Works’ Fiscal Year of April 1, 2023–March 31, 2024. Earned revenue represents income from bike sales and service, program fees, event proceeds, and interest income
At the publication of this report in June 2024, these financials were unaudited To request full audited financials or Form 990, please contact us at hello@bearingsbikeworks org
982 MURPHY AVENUE SW
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bearings Bike Works is grateful for the leadership of a thoughtful and dedicated Board of Directors who collaborates with the staff to put the right tools in the hands of youth, enabling them to advance their skills to build productive lives.
LONI METTER
Chairwoman
Retired, LeasePlan USA
EDDIE FERGUSON
Treasurer Truist Bank
JIM LOKEY
Retired, King & Spalding LLP
CHUCK OGLETREE
Southtree Commercial
RONDA ZENTS
Woodward Academy
DAN HELLER
Retired, King & Spalding LLP
DARRYL LESURE
Retired, Chick-fil-A
O’MARA Executive Director, Bearings Bike Works
TIM