2019 was an incredible year at the Mechanical Gardens — and 2020 will be even better.
We’re setting an ambitious agenda of exhilarating community programs for 2020 to expand bike equity farther than ever before. Here are some highlights of what’s to come:
- A six-week mechanics job training course with monetary fellowships for 12 community participants;
- A “cycle of giving” repair-a-thon with 50 volunteers repairing 100 reclaimed bikes, and free distribution to community orgs serving low-income New Yorkers;
- A new Bedford-Stuyvesant-based workshop series at a local community center;
- New exclusive programs for women, transgender, and GNC riders;
- An international bike equity initiative with partners in Central America;
- Spanish language, social justice, and mechanical trainings for organizers;
- New educational infrastructure;
- Substantial shop upgrades;
- New community events;
- And more!
These programs need your help to succeed. Make a tax-deductible donation today to make 2020 a success.
Looking back at 2019, we achieved our second full year of weekly Open Hours programs at Brooklyn’s Saint John the Evangelist Lutheran Church. Over hundreds of overall events, all-volunteer crew empowered hundreds of New Yorkers to fix their own bicycles. We developed stronger relationships with the community of folks at St Johns, as well as nonprofit peers, business partners, and local government agencies, particularly through amazing support from the NYC Department of Transportation. We increased our volunteer core and fostered a new crew of committed organizers. And we worked hard every week, building a more welcoming, inspiring, and educational space for all New Yorkers.
We’re excited for you to come join us in 2020! Stop by to fix your bike or volunteer during open hours, support us with a donation, or get in touch about partnering on programs.