ReBicycle BeRecycling! Party at APC

We spent a cool Sunday morning a few weeks ago volunteering at the community garden over at Alameda Point Collaborative (APC). This former softball field has been magically transformed into a thriving, beautiful, food-producing garden that gives people who have horrible access to shopping facilities a chance to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of us built elevated planter beds while others worked on an earthen, artistic bench sculpture that is becoming a community focal point.



I was so impressed with what I saw, I am looking forward to going out there again for the event I'm mentioning here, part of a bicycle recycling program that helps transform young people's lives. Let me just paste the press release here:

BICYCLE RECYCLING BLOCK PARTY AT APC

On November 4th 2006, the Alameda Point Collaborative will be holding a Block Party to celebrate the establishment of the Alameda Community Bike Shop. The Bike Shop is collecting used bicycles from shops, landfills and donations, and training youth how to fix and repair them. Once they complete the training and community service hours, participants get a bike, helmet and lock. Since its establishment last summer, the shop has already collected more than 200 bicycles and trained more than 40 youth.



From 11 am to 1:30 pm on November 4th at 650 W. Ranger Ave. the project will be providing repair and safety workshops, riding demonstrations, free food and refreshments, raffle prizes, and used bicycles for sale. All proceeds from the sale of bikes will be used to support the project.



The key staff for the project are APC residents Donna Williams and Kevin Jackson. Both are working in the project as part of an On the Job Training program provided by APC.



Funding for the bicycle recycle project has been provided by StopWaste.org – a partnership of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board. The Alameda Police Department has donated bicycle helmets for the project



Alameda Point Collaborative is a supportive housing program serving 500 formerly homeless families and individuals on the converted Naval Air Station. Residents are provided with the safety and stability of a place to live combined with life skills and job skills training, advocacy to connect with services, and emotional support all with the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness and getting the support needed to be able to lead a stable, productive life.