We charge about $100 per youth (the kids don't pay this, the organization that we are providing programming for pays it) This includes the bike, a helmet, a lock, and 12-16 hours of instruction. Actually it is more like $500 for up to 5 kids and $1000 for up to 10 kids, since we have a paid instructor to youth ratio of 1-5. So if we have near 10 kids we will have 2 instructors and supplement with volunteers.

We don't use contracts, we just invoice the organization when we set our dates. This has not been a problem yet, although figuring out whether we have received payments or not has been tricky for us at times.

...Ok, so that is what we ask for, but we have a sliding scale built into it so that if we do enough of then at full price we can afford to do 25% of them for free for orgs that can't afford it. So it doesn't hurt to charge a little extra from orgs that have a bit of money...

Hope that is helpful, Scott www.freeridepgh.org

On Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 7:11 PM, adam schwartz rideyourbicycle@gmail.comwrote:

We currently provide all of our programs for free. However we are considering charging a nominal fee for our Earn-A-Bike class and our summer camp. The main reason being that research has shown that people are more likely to show up and consistently attend if they have paid money for something. We think we can do a better job at retention by charging a small fee, and then use that money to purchase helmets to give away to the kids. Previously we have operated our youth programs from small grants, but we just hired three youth interns with the aim of increasing revenue from bike sales.

-- Adam Schwartz Renaissance Youth Bike Shop The Engaged University 6200 Sheridan St, Riverdale, MD rideyourbicycle@gmail.com 301-405-3213

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i'd also be interested in hearing more. especially since many prisons here apparently have classes to become an auto mechanic.

On Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 6:44 AM, Macho Philipovich macho@resist.ca wrote:

...

We have a contract with MDOC to provide bikes and training as a transportation solution for recently released parolees.  That one required a thick contract with clear budget and description of services.

can you talk more about how this works?  are people required by their parole officers to attend training sessions once they've signed up for them?  if they bail do you rat them out?  have there been other difficulties?  did they initially approach you, or you them?  i've been interested in something like this for our shop, but i'm also torn about it.

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Michigan recently started the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative (MPRI). It is basically a cost-savings program for DOC because they realize they can save a ton of cash if they can reduce recidivism. To do so, they are offering parolees a variety of support services, like housing, identification, job-training, and transportation.

The Jackson County MPRI coordinator came to us with the idea that bikes provided a more sustainable form of transportation than the bus tickets that they were currently giving out. We set up a contracted service that includes: -Setting up a basic bike repair class that prison staff offers before release -Providing a bike, helmet, and accessories to each participant -A 2-hour class on safe and effective cycling (based on LAB Smart Cycling)

For us, including education is essential to the program. We believe that the bike won't last unless the rider understands how to use it in traffic and in all weather.

The process: When a parolee is released, the parole agent discusses the bike program with the parolee as an option. Many have a car, don't want a bike, or don't want to attend the class. This sorting point is critical so that I don't get people who don't want to be there. The parole agent refers them to me. I don't take walk-ins; they must have been referred by their agent. We do the class, including a short ride (1.5 miles) through town to demonstrate the skills and knowledge covered in the class. 2 hours is really not sufficient, especially with bike selection and fitting. However, this is about as long as a lot of the guys can stand to focus. Each month I bill MPRI for the equipment (including an estimated charge for recycled bikes) and my time in organizing and teaching the class. I can provide some of our spreadsheets, if that is of interest to others.

We distributed about 100 bikes with education last year through this program

The secret benefit: Parolees need public service hours to pay for tether fees. They are also often dying to get out of the house. As a result, they make great volunteers. I have a group of five parolees that produces most of the bikes we use in the program now.

The first time I did one of these classes I was afraid I was going to be shot. Obviously, I didn't have much experience with what MPRI calls "returning citizens." This has come to be my favorite program and it is clearly impacting participants' lives beyond mere transportation. The themes of independence and self-reliance really resonate with them.

There are lots of other details to consider, and I'm sure that our DOC program won't match up with those in your state. Bringing sex offenders into your shop is a big deal, and probably 75% of participants here are CSC cases. You better be clear with everyone about when they will be there.

I have also found that the model can translate to all sorts of areas. With a little investigation you'll find thousands of people in your community who are receiving some sort of transportation assistance. The agencies providing that assistance are probably looking for a better model. Bikes don't work for everyone, but they will help enough people to keep your shop busy.

I'd be happy to provide more details to anyone interested. I've never been to a BikeBike, but maybe this topic would make a good presentation?

Scott TenBrink Executive Director Fitness Council of Jackson 225 North Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 990-9798 scott@fitnesscouncil.org www.fitnesscouncil.org

-----Original Message----- From: thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Macho Philipovich Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:44 AM To: The Think Tank Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Youth Programs - Fees & Contracts

We have a contract with MDOC to provide bikes and training as a transportation solution for recently released parolees. That one required

a

thick contract with clear budget and description of services.

can you talk more about how this works? are people required by their parole officers to attend training sessions once they've signed up for them? if they bail do you rat them out? have there been other difficulties? did they initially approach you, or you them? i've been interested in something like this for our shop, but i'm also torn about it.

-m _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o rg

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" if they bail do you rat them out? "

I missed that one in my previous, rambling message.

Yes, I report back to parole agents on all classes, telling them who showed up and indicating if there were any behavior problems. People often don't show for the class, but behavior hasn't been an issue. I find it is important to seem trustworthy and responsible to the agents. They won't promote the program if they think I'm not serious about the job. Reporting back keeps them from worrying about guys finding trouble during scheduled release times.

Scott TenBrink Executive Director Fitness Council of Jackson 225 North Jackson St. Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 990-9798 scott@fitnesscouncil.org www.fitnesscouncil.org

-----Original Message----- From: thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Macho Philipovich Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 9:44 AM To: The Think Tank Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Youth Programs - Fees & Contracts

We have a contract with MDOC to provide bikes and training as a transportation solution for recently released parolees. That one required

a

thick contract with clear budget and description of services.

can you talk more about how this works? are people required by their parole officers to attend training sessions once they've signed up for them? if they bail do you rat them out? have there been other difficulties? did they initially approach you, or you them? i've been interested in something like this for our shop, but i'm also torn about it.

-m _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o rg

No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.28 - Release Date: 3/25/2009 12:00 AM

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