After 10 years of operating a Neighborhood Bike Works site in the Haddington neighborhood of West Philadelphia, we have made the difficult decision to move out of our bike shop on N. Salford Street. Our programming at the site is currently on hold. We are committed to continuing our work in West Philadelphia, and are looking for community partners interested in working with us to offer Earn-a-Bike at their locations in early 2013.
This is not an easy decision for the Neighborhood Bike Works community. Over 2,000 youth, adults, and volunteers have participated in our programs in Haddington, building bikes and exploring the area around Cobbs Creek and beyond. We are proud to have participated in the Haddington Youth Development Initiative, and look forward to continue working with our many community partners in the neighborhood. However, alongside our successes, we have faced serious challenges as an organization, chief among them the challenge of raising funds. It is clear that we can no longer continue to sustain our full network of bike shops.
We see our move out of the Haddington shop as a transition toward offering more sustainable programming. We are currently in discussion with several potential partners about sharing space, and hope to offer youth programs in the neighborhood very soon.
Our first priority is that the Neighborhood Bike Works network remain a resource for the youth we serve in Philadelphia. Youth who have participated in programs at the Haddington shop are welcome to attend Drop-In sessions, Group Rides, and other youth programs at our 40th Street and North Philadelphia locations. Both locations are accessible by public transportation, and have a full schedule of youth programming set for this academic year.
Our most important task is to continue to provide educational, recreational, and career-building opportunities to Philadelphia’s underserved youth. By consolidating our sites, we will be able to offer solid youth programs and establish strong partnerships with other groups and individuals. We are grateful for the continued community support in Haddington and beyond, and look forward to future involvement in the neighborhood.
If you have questions about this transition, please call our main office at 215-386-0316.
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