Help Volunteer
Although we love money, bikes, and parts, most of all we love volunteers! Volunteers are really key to making our program a success. If you are new to NBW, you will receive a short introduction to our procedures to help you integrate into the program of your choosing. Most opportunities require little to no bike repair knowledge. Active volunteers are welcome (and encouraged) to take our adult repair class at no charge. Please e-mail repairclass@neighborhoodbikeworks.org to find out when the next class begins.
To apply for a volunteer position, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@neighborhoodbikeworks.org or (215) 386-0316. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have another special skill or interest that you think could serve Neighborhood Bike Works. We are open to working with you to design your own volunteer or internship experience.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Earn-A-Bike Assistant Instructor: Assistant Instructors help youth ages 13-17 learn bike repair, health, fitness, and safety skills during Earn-A-Bike classes. EAB classes typically meet twice per week, for 2-3 hours a session, and are 7-8 weeks long. Volunteers must commit to at least one day per week for the duration of a particular class. During classes, you will support an instructor working from a lesson plan. At the end of the class, eligible students earn a free bicycle that they have reconditioned. No repair experience necessary, as you will learn the basics along with the class!
Summer Camp Assistant: Learn new skills, go on rides, have fun, and help youth earn bicycles! Our 2009 Summer Camp meets Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4pm throughout July and August. You don’t need to know how to fix bikes to volunteer. You DO need to be enthusiastic, patient, responsible, and ready to work with youth ages 8-14. Any time commitment is welcome, from a few hours to the entire summer.
Mechanic: Adults with repair skills needed to support instructors at our Saturday morning Drop-in Session. During these open hours, Earn-A-Bike program graduates may work on their own bicycles, help out around the shop, or take advanced lessons. Volunteer mechanics may also assist at “Safety Checks” and other special events throughout the summer. Get in touch if you can use your bike repair skills to support NBW’s programs! We would love to put you to work fixing bikes and helping EAB graduates learn even more about bicycles.
Ride Chaperon: NBW needs cyclists with enthusiasm and patience to join groups of 8-18 year olds and a staff member on rides. We have at least one ride per month, and often more! Rides typically meet around 9am and we promise to have you back by 3pm. We will ride SLOWLY and safely to interesting sites and events in the Philadelphia area. Volunteers must model safe cycling habits, and should be willing to engage youth in educational activities. Sometimes you’ll even get to ride one of our crazy creations like our SquawkWorks sculpture, seen here!
Trucker: NBW needs volunteers who own and drive trucks to pick up and deliver donated bicycles. We depend on bicycles donated by the community to keep our youth programs running. Often these bikes come from businesses who are not able to deliver the bikes to us — that’s where you come in! Most jobs can be done at your convenience.
Trucker: I would like the opportunity to volunteer.
Thank you
Justin Meisten
Sign me up for trucker duty and ride chaperone!
I would like to volunteer possibly as an Earn-A-Bike Assistant Instructor. Please contact me with details on how I can help.
Thanks!
Earn-A-Bike assistant instructor: I’d like the opportunity to volunteer and help out.
Thanks,
Karl Richardson
Earn-A-Bike assistant instructor or Mechanic.
I would like the opportunity help out where needed.
Thanks,
Bob
I volunteered as a Earn-A-Bike Assistant Instructor in the past year. Do you need a volunteer for this program. what R the dates and times? I already took the adult repair class about 1 or 2 years ago.