3rd try...I guess there were too many quoted messages and it was too big for the mail server. Sorry if anyone gets this twice. Last post from me, Just wanted to let everybody know what's going on with the W & S program. Thanks for everybody who weighed in on the topic.
Basically the program is way scaled back from what we had thought it was at first. Corporal Witte will be collecting bikes from the impound and using our shop space to fix them up. He will purchase a standard bike tool kit and stand as well as all of his own parts. We will keep a separate area for bikes that he is working on (maybe 10-15 at a time) until he can give them out to kids on his beat. We all expressed concern that the kids really should be learning something and not just getting a handout but this is the program as it stands now.
What we get out of the deal: Equal time-share rent (we estimated) for how long he uses the space vs. us. Really good press. Adult bikes from the police impound. An "in" and knowledge for possibly receiving a much larger W & S grant in the future. This could be used to hire a coordinator for an Earn-A-Bike or or other program. An "in" with Job Corps participants who need community service hours. If there is something we need moved or done we got a lotta hands that can help. Time to set up shop without feeling pressured to run a program we really don't know about or have a solid grasp on.
I feel the most important points are the first and last. We need rent and to pay for liability insurance. This is basically free money. All we do is share the space we already have. We also have plenty of time to develop a curriculum and procedures for an earn-a-bike (so the kids can actually learn) and write a solid grant proposal for funding.
Brian signing off from fabulous Wilmington, DE. Happy New Year everyone!