Some students at SOAR Academy are taking home more than just textbooks and notes, thanks to Communities in Schools (CIS) of Central Georgia and a special partnership. During their first semester of the school year, they worked with U Create Macon. 

Every Friday, for eight weeks, founder of U Create Macon, Charise Stephens-Merriweather and her team brought the Bike Maintenance 101 program to 16 students at SOAR Academy. They taught them everything from how to ride a bike safely to how to fix a bike. 

The students learned about bike parts, basic maintenance, the ABCs of biking, group riding safety techniques, and took an exit exam to earn their own bike. Each program graduate received a bike, helmet, bike lock, water bottle, bike safety guide, and safety light. 

“By the end of the program they knew what to do if their chained popped and how to repair it,” said Stephens-Merriweather. “They can use this knowledge throughout their life and could actually become entrepreneurs and fix bikes in their neighborhoods.” 

For some mentees, this experience sparked a deeper interest in cycling, with many now aspiring to join the local Major Taylor Middle Georgia or Middle Georgia Composite bike teams. At the end of the program, students received a certificate for their accomplishment and a brand-new bicycle. 

“They were locked into this, they wanted to do this, and they were so proud of themselves,” said CIS of Central Georgia Executive Director Taryn Collinsworth. “We can talk numbers, did the numbers comedown in crime when we do something like this? But there is another piece when you see the light go on in the kids’ eyes. When it ignites a passion in them, it changes me inside.”  

CIS received a $30,000 grant from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) to enhance academic success by providing holistic support that empowers students to envision and pursue promising futures. Part of this grant was used for the work with U Create Macon. The grant is also helping with collaboration with Bibb County Schools, the Griffith Family Foundation, and Mama Hawk Draws. CIS is offering diverse opportunities for student enrichment and mentorship continuity to include career and hobby skills through art business planning, bike shop training, cultural experiences, and summer activities.