Sunnyside Church Helps Anti-Gang Effort
Posted by Terry White on November 10, 2009
The Sunnyside, Washington, Grace Brethren Church (Nathan Zakahi, pastor) has had a part in fostering an anti-gang program through bicycles. Here is an excerpt from an article in the Yakima Herald–to read the entire article click here.
Re-cycling offers alternative to gangs
By Ross Courtney , Yakima Herald Republic
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Don’t give George Villalobos a hacksaw.
The 13-year-old bike mechanic-in-training might try to use it to remove a crusty tire from the rim of a road bike.
“That would make it more simple,” he says through his grunts, as he pries at the bead with tire levers and a screwdriver.
Elsewhere in the unheated downtown garage, boys sort spokes, push brooms and grease bearings.
They are all pitching in at Lucky 7 Bikes, a volunteer-run shop that functions as a recycling, youth outreach and apprenticeship center.
A product of communitywide gang prevention efforts, the program works by allowing kids to select a salvaged bike and refurbish it under the tutelage of unofficial manager Dan White and other mentors. In turn, the students contribute about five hours helping other kids, sweeping and cleaning parts.
Or removing stubborn tires.
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