When we opened our doors we had four key-holding members; today we’ve doubled that number and have a consistent, generous volunteer base, plus an ever-growing base of customers. On any given day, the collective may serve a pack of ravenous children, a fair-weather rider, a homeless individual or a young college student. We believe that building bicycles collaboratively is an empowering activity, and fosters an environment that creates a healthy, positive community
We are all volunteers; we have no paid staff and have never been funded through a major grant or endowment. Our operation has been a grassroots endeavor, with financial support coming mainly from individuals and community groups who believe in our work. All of our tools, parts and bicycles have been generously donated.
When we first came together to start this project in 2007, we chose to revitalize a rented building in a blighted area. We mobilized the community and raised finances to turn a moldy storage area into a functional bike shop. Over time it became apparent that the poor condition of the building was holding us back from functioning at our full capabilities, and that as renters we had no means to implement the improvements.
We embarked on a fundraising effort, and purchased a building at the county delinquent tax auction. We wanted to tap into the pool of 7,000 abandoned buildings in our community, and provide a stable future for the organization. We hope to be a model for other groups who want to have long-term community impact and create social capital, by encouraging them to see the potential in blighted areas and make a sustainable investment there.
The storefront of this facility has better pedestrian traffic, and triples the square footage of our old building, while remaining invested in the same neighborhood. We envision using the new space to create a hub of bicycle advocacy and activity in the Kansas City area. We would like to expand beyond the current 816 Bicycle Collective workshop, to include office space for other bicycle advocacy groups, and to reach out across the geographically extensive Kansas City
metro area. We would like to function as a headquarters, facilitator and guide, promoting bicycle related activities and businesses in our region.
Our vision goes further. As we continue to train more and more volunteers, we have aspirations to someday create a space that encourages other forms of community outreach. We will expand our youth programming, offer specialty classes for adults, and organize more city lobbying towards bicycle advocacy. We have the skills and tools, and soon we will have the facility and programming to embark on localized production of merchandise, bike frames, parts and bicycle-powered technology.
In order to move forward we have to first undertake some essential renovations to the building. We are reaching out to the Kansas City community to help us expedite this transition. Already, many community members, skilled laborers and politicians are stepping up to lend a hand for the move, and to help in the reconstruction effort.
Our goal is to raise $50,000.00 by the end of this fall. We have been offered resources from various local contractors and partners that will leverage this amount to achieve a swift project completion. If we meet this goal we can expect to move in and have our shop operational by next summer.
We have plans for several fundraising initiatives including an innovative three-tiered art auction, and are hoping that as an active and influential member of our community, you might have some ideas or connections that would assist us in implementing these programs in some way.
We are anxious to move in and move up in our role in this community. We would be so grateful if you would be willing to participate in a brief phone call or meeting to discover ways in which you could perhaps assist us in this impactful and worthwhile endeavor.
For more information about how you can help us please contact:
Idris Raoufi
(816) 918-5142
Kcbikefed@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment