Teaching at risk children to pay it forward by awarding free bicycles (plus a helmet and a lock) to at risk and disadvantaged children between the ages of 4 to 16 whose actions have positively influenced their community or who have shown exceptional courage in difficult situations.

By teaching at risk and underprivileged kids the value of hard work and pride within their local community, we are giving them the fundamental building blocks towards a positive future and the first big step out of poverty or from difficult surroundings. Not everyone has a positive role model, mentor, or positive parental figure. Others are overcoming language, physical or emotional barriers. By teaching the value of hard work and giving back to their community we are teaching disadvantaged children the pathway to becoming successful adults. Our goal isn’t to help one child or one family. Our goal is to teach an entire generation the value of community service and giving back. This hopefully will be the first domino in a cascading effect of kindness that will reach across socio-economic boundaries throughout the Ottawa area.

Giving a bicycle can increase a child’s freedom. It’s easing their journey to school, or easier access to a part-time job, an opportunity to engage in volunteerism, it’s giving them access to the world outside of their neighborhood. It gives them access to a safe playground, swimming pool, recreation centre, afterschool programs and so much more. Often a bicycle is giving a child a key to a whole new world and an opportunity to better themselves.

Some of the benefits of our program include:

• Improve young people’s health (mental and physical).
• Contribute to the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits in young people.
• Improve cognitive and social skills.
• Improve school performance/attendance.
• Contribute to young people’s safety.
• Offer assistance to marginalized young people.
• Contribute to families cultural and social integration.
• Preserve the physical and psychological integrity of people.
• Prevent delinquency, bullying, theft, and other criminal acts.
• Improve the sense of security in communities.
• Strengthen solidarity in the community.
• Promote civics in society.
• Improving the self-esteem and self-image of young people.