A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDERS
Dear Friends,
Over the last 15 years, Bearings has grown from a small basement bike shop into a dynamic organization that has served thousands of young people across Atlanta. Through every chapter of our journey, one thing has remained constant: the belief that young people can grow into confident, successful adults when given the proper tools, a positive support system, and something meaningful to work toward.
This year, as we celebrate 15 years of Bearings, we’re proud to look back at the milestones, memories, and moments that have brought us here. The timeline that follows tells the story of progress driven by passion, programs shaped by purpose, and a community that continues to rally around our youth.
Our successes have been made possible by the people who’ve believed in this work and in the potential of the kids we serve. As we reflect on the journey so far, we’re filled with anticipation for what’s next. The road ahead is full of opportunity, and we’re excited to keep the wheels rolling.
Thank you for joining us,
ABOUT BEARINGS
At Bearings Bike Works, urban youth in Atlanta discover their innate talents and develop them into meaningful skills by building bikes and engaging in bikecentric programming.
OUR VISION
is to see those that we serve take ownership of their lives with character and purpose and experience the freedom of economic mobility.
OUR MISSION
is to put the right tools in the hands of youth enabling them to advance their skills to build productive lives.
Why We Ride
THE HISTORY OF BEARINGS
REFLECTING ON 15 YEARS OF SERVICE
Bearings is Founded
Tim transforms the dingy basement of an automotive shop into the first “Bearings Bike Shop,” a space where kids can come to earn a bike of their own and keep it in good working order.
The BeltLine was under construction at the time and the automotive shop owners we were renting from decided to sell, offering Bearings first dibs on the purchase of the property. 982
Youth Cycling Programs Launch
Bearings launches its first ever cycling program, providing youth with the resources to thrive in the sport of mountain biking.
The Garage Opens
Bearings opens The Garage, a 6,000square-foot space dedicated to helping youth gain confidence, independence, and hands-on skills through bike-centric programming. 2020
Celebrating 15 Years
Bearings opened its official connection bridge to the Atlanta Beltline this spring with more growth to come later this year!
2024-25 HIGHLIGHTS
CYCLE AND SUPPER
Hosted in partnership with local race team The Paceline Project, Bearings' 2024 Cycle & Supper event was a great evening for cycling, gathering with friends on the patio at Bearings' campus, and coming together to make an impact on the lives of youth in Atlanta. Bikes are at the heart of what we do, and we were thrilled to connect over our love for cycling with so many friends, old and new, and raise over $6,000 for Bearings’ youth programs!
CORPORATE BIKE BUILDS
At Bearings, our bike builds are about more than just putting wheels on frames — they’re about bringing people together to create real, lasting impact in our community. In the past year, we partnered with several local companies to provide bikes for our youth programs, offer valuable job training for our Bearings interns who help lead these events, and give employees a memorable team-building experience.
COMMUNITY BIKE DRIVES
Last fall, our friends at Southside Cycling and Line Creek Brewing in Peachtree City teamed up to host a community bike drive on our behalf. On October 26, neighbors showed up with bikes in tow, eager to give their old wheels new purpose. In exchange for a donation, Line Creek offered a cold beer on the house, creating a fun and festive way to support Bearings. Every bike collected helps fuel our programs, whether it’s earned by a student in our after-school shop or refurbished by a teen in our job training program.
BBQ AND BREW
On Sunday, November 17, Bearings friends and supporters came together for an unforgettable night of celebration and generosity. This year's BBQ & Brew fundraiser welcomed over 200 guests and raised just over $200,000! It was incredibly special to share inspiring stories of impact with new and old friends alike, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks on a beautiful fall evening. Every dollar raised helped fuel our mission to serve even more youth in 2025, creating lasting change in our community.
GNG + SKYHAWKS
HOLIDAY PHOTOSHOOT
In November, the incredibly talented and generous team at Hales Photo arranged a professional holiday photo shoot for Bearings’ participants and their families. Their team built an entire set and spent hours documenting smiles and happy memories for families in our community. It was such a meaningful experience for all involved! One mom who had photos taken with her son shared, “This was really special, we have never had pictures together before.”
PARTNERSHIP
In March, Bearings had the incredible honor of being recognized at two College Park Skyhawks basketball games, thanks to our partners at Georgia Natural Gas ! The Skyhawks players rocked custom jerseys featuring the Bearings logo, celebrating our mission to teach life skills through bikes. Game attendees were able to try out our Cone Crusher course outside the arena pre-game, and we had some big on-court wins, including $25,000 in prize money for Bearings!
YOUTH CYCLING: THE TRAIL BEGINS HERE
In 2025, we launched Trail Rangers, a mountain biking team for grades 3–5 designed to give elementary-aged youth their first taste of the trails. With the right gear, a little guidance, and lots of encouragement, these young riders are discovering confidence and joy on two wheels. Trail Rangers is just the start, leading into our middle and high school team, where older youth take on new challenges and race peers at statewide races.
Our cycling programs break down barriers by providing bikes, gear, and all of the support needed to ride. From clinics to team environments to race day experiences, we’re helping kids of all ages and backgrounds to get active and connected. In 2024, we reached over 300 youth, and we’re on track to serve more than 600 in the next year. Through mountain biking, they’re building confidence, character, and community.
"It’s been a tremendous, positive experience for [Finn] and for the whole family. Since he’s joined the team we’ve seen him be committed to working hard and participating in something that he’s passionate about. He really enjoys the coaches here at Bearings who have been very positive and supportive along the way... It’s been a great journey."
- Tim, Dad of Finn
Scan to watch Tayten’s story
A PODIUM FINISH
Seventeen-year-old Tayten is an inspiring example of how bikes can unlock talent and passion. He joined our after-school program in 2023, drawn to learning how bikes work and how to fix them, combining his love of riding with hands-on learning. He was so committed that he’d sometimes take a 30-minute train ride from his dad’s house just to be there. That summer, he joined our youth mountain biking team, finding joy in the challenge and fitness of the sport. Though racing wasn’t his original goal, his growing skills and confidence pulled him in.
Racing brought its own challenges, but Tayten persevered and continued to grow. In spring 2024, he earned a full-suspension Trek Fuel, his dream bike, by working part-time in our retail shop.
That win fueled his momentum and helped land him a podium finish in the fall. Tayten’s commitment, passion, and steady personal growth continue to inspire, and we can’t wait to see where the ride takes him next as he heads off to college this fall.
BRINGING CLINICS TO THE CLASSROOM
Cone Crusher Clinics are Bearings’ pop-up mountain biking experiences that bring bikes, helmets, and fun off-road courses to community parks and local schools. Last year, the response was incredible from kids, parents, and teachers. Clinics quickly became a highlight in the schools and communities we partnered with.
We’ve since expanded into local schools during PE classes, giving students a chance to try mountain biking while learning balance, safety, and perseverance. Many discover a fun, new way to be active, even those who typically shy away from sports. In 2024, we introduced over 350 students to mountain biking, and parents have told us their kids come home proud of what they’ve learned.
SKILLS FOR LIFE: A STARTING POINT FOR LIFELONG GROWTH
Skills for Life is often a young person’s first step at Bearings. The program introduces youth to the basics of working with bikes while helping them build confidence and feel a sense of belonging. It often sparks deeper interest — whether that’s joining our job training program, exploring mountain biking, or just coming back to keep learning. With hands-on experiences in a supportive space, Skills for Life helps youth develop skills, discover their potential, and connect with their community.
One example of that long-term growth is Aalim. He came to Bearings at age 13, already curious and passionate about how things work. His mom, Aqueelah, saw Bearings as the perfect place for him to keep learning and working with his hands — something he loved and had a knack for.
“If he was just at home playing with Legos, that’s great, but to come and have someone actually check out what you’re doing, show you what you’re doing wrong, and offer feedback and criticism – that definitely contributed to his growth,” - Aqueelah (Aalim’s mom)
“I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone for being a driving force in helping me develop my skills as an engineer. I sincerely appreciate your support in helping me reach my goals.”
- Aalim
Skills for Life gave him that space, with tools, mentors, and peers who shared his excitement. Aalim stayed connected — joining our summer internship, riding with the mountain bike team, and continuing to grow as a leader and learner. His passion for engineering deepened, along with his work ethic and relationships.
“At Bearings, you feel a sense of family, caring, and a safe space you can go to where people know you,” Aqueelah said. “It was a safe space to go from school before coming home.”
Last summer, Aalim graduated and was accepted to Tuskegee University’s Mechanical Engineering program. He’s studying aviation, has launched his own clothing line, and keeps in touch with friends he made at Bearings. His path is his own — but we’re honored to have been part of the journey.
Gearing Up: Hands-On Learning with Real Impact
Gearing Up is Bearings’ earn-a-bike programming in partnership with Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, serving students from Slater Elementary, Price Middle, and Carver High School. In the 2024–25 school year, 18 students earned bikes, 428 stars were awarded for skill mastery, and over 370 hours were spent in the shop building mechanical skills, confidence, and resilience through mentorship and mechanical instruction.
To learn more about Gearing Up and our other community partnerships, visit bearingsbikeworks.org/partnerships
318 Participants
60 Bikes Earned
6,291 Hours Logged Learning
147 Level Ups
80% Of Students Surveyed Report Mentor-Like Relationships
FRAMEWORKS: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND FUTURES
The transition from high school to the real world can be one of the most defining seasons in a young person’s life. The Frameworks Career Accelerator Program is designed to walk alongside teens during this pivotal time, offering real-world working experience, mechanical skill training, and in-depth mentorship where they can build confidence and plan for the future.
We see again and again in our programs how early engagement lays the foundation for long-term growth.
When young people first walk through our doors, they might be earning their first bike, learning to use a wrench, or simply finding a space where they feel like they belong. That foundation creates a path to deeper learning, responsibility, and meaningful work.
Kobe is one of those young people. He first came to Bearings in 2018 through our after-school drop-in program. At the time, he was shy and uncertain, but his commitment to growth stood out. As a teen, he joined our Frameworks internship and mountain biking team, and over the next four years, we watched him grow into a skilled mechanic and a leader for younger students.
After high school, Kobe wasn’t sure what would come next. He was hired into our year-long Fellowship, diving deeper into technical skills and career prep. There were moments of doubt and setbacks, but he kept on going. In 2024, his persistence paid off: he was offered a full-time job with benefits and opportunities for growth. To celebrate, Bearings gifted Kobe a used car to help with his daily commute, an unforgettable moment for all of us.
Kobe’s story is just one example of what’s possible when young people are given the tools, support, and encouragement to keep moving forward. Frameworks doesn’t just teach job skills, it helps youth step confidently into whatever comes next.
Scan to watch Kobe’s surprise!
In Loving Memory of Toddrick Lamar, 2003 - 2024
Following the devastating loss of long-time participant, staff member, and friend Toddrick Lamar last fall, Bearings will continue to honor Toddrick’s life and legacy by supporting young adults as they transition into independence. The Toddrick Lamar Fund will provide vital resources like transportation, housing assistance, and education support, ensuring our Frameworks graduates have the tools they need to succeed. As we expand our program, this fund will play a key role in empowering young people to overcome challenges and embrace their future. Toddrick’s journey is forever in our hearts, and we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact in his memory.
2024 SUMMER INTERNSHIP RECAP
Every summer, Bearings offers a paid internship program for high schoolers, the ideal “first job experience” to learn how to work and add value. In 2024, seven teens brought their own unique talents and skills to the program, and we saw exceptional growth as they developed employability skills, learned money management skills, and broadened their knowledge of career paths. Interns dedicated a total of 2,000 hours to building their futures and discovering talents over the course of this
8-week program. Intern Zakiyah found that she excelled in inspiring and connecting with the kids she mentored in the Skills for Life program. Working in the program, Zakiyah not only taught bike repair but she also focused on offering emotional support, asking kids about their day and encouraging them. Her positive attitude and dedication were a highlight of the summer, and we saw several kids improve their mechanical skills under her guidance!
LOOKING AHEAD: EXPANDING ACCESS AND VISIBILITY
This spring, Bearings completed construction on our new Beltline Connection Bridge, a major step in expanding access to our campus for youth and families in Southwest Atlanta. The bridge, which was completed in early April, connects directly to the Westside Beltline Trail and offers a safe, bikeable entrance to our programs and retail shop. It’s already becoming a welltraveled route for young people commuting to Bearings and for new visitors discovering us for the first time.
This project represents a $250,000 investment in longterm access and visibility, laying the groundwork for even greater campus transformation. Just steps from the new bridge, renovations are now underway on a 2,500square-foot warehouse that will become our new Beltline-facing retail shop. With a projected opening by the end of this year, the new shop will welcome trail users each day and support job training opportunities for our youth working in retail operations, customer service, and bike mechanics.
These milestones are possible only as a result of the generous support of our community: volunteers, donors, and partners who believe in creating spaces where young people can grow, thrive, and ride. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this possible, and excited for what’s ahead.
We are thankful for the generous donors who make this impact possible through their financial contributions and volunteer efforts. We are are committed to stewarding your dollars well and welcome transparency and questions.
This Annual Report reflects our Fiscal Year of April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025. At the publication of this report in June 2025, these financials were unaudited. To request full audited financials or our Form 990, please contact us at hello@bearingsbikeworks.org.
$ 1,596,523
Operating Revenue
Donations $1,318,535 — 83%
Earned Income: $277,988 — 17%
Additional Capital Donations — $850,000
$ 1,390,060
Operating Expenses
Program Services: $1,098,148 — 79%
General & Administrative: $222,409 – 16%
Fundraising: $69,503 — 5%
Net Assets: $4,140,343
