New Bike Shipment

The Cambridge DPW dropped of ten bikes to our location at Quad Bikes this past Wednesday. We're geared up to get them in riding shape! Check them out on our Facebook album from the last refurb night: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.350563521644571.92379.328683173832606&type=1

Refurb Nights!

 Hey everyone!

It's that time of year, the time you've all been waiting for, the return of REFURB NIGHTS for the LIFT Bike Project! Refurb Nights will be Wednesdays from 7-9pm starting February 1st at Quad Bikes. I look forward to meeting all of the veterans of refurb nights, as well as some fresh faces (including my own).  We have the goal of giving away 100 bikes this year, so there is a lot of work to be done. Thank you so much for your commitment to the Bike Project and to the communities of the Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. 

No previous bicycle mechanic experience required, just a desire to learn and have fun! Also, don't forget to like our brand new facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/LIFTbikeproject.

Success Story of LIFT Bike Project Recipient

Bill earned a bike from the LIFT Bike Project in the spring of 2011.

After working over 25 years in the hospitality industry and working his way up to managerial positions, Bill Viera was laid off from his hotel job in 2007.  He lived off of his savings for three years and struggled to find work, and he was eventually forced into a homeless shelter. With the help of a long-term advocate, Bill was able to turn his life around with a new job with a local retailer, better healthcare, and renewed optimism about finding a permanent home.

Living in the shelter, Bill continued volunteering as a cook for residents to maintain his skills.  The shelter referred Bill to LIFT, and Bill’s advocate Brittni worked with him to first find employment so that he could save up for permanent housing.  LIFT worked with Bill to create a resume, prepare for interviews, and improve his computer proficiency, and also linked him to free interview attire and computer classes.  Brittni  quickly realized that Bill's dental and heart issues were preventing him from securing employment, both physically and in employers’ perceptions of him.  She says, "Bill's teeth were literally rotting out of his head.  While we worked to resolve Bill’s insurance issues, we looked into Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, which offers free health care for homeless individuals. We were able to set him up with a regular primary care physician as well as a dentist."  The dentist extracted his rotten teeth and made plans to fit him for dentures.  Eventually LIFT was able to not only resolve his insurance issues, but upgrade his coverage package, in addition to setting personal health and weight loss goals that have enabled Bill to enjoy the new bicycle he received from LIFT.

Of his journey, Bill says, "Other organizations would maybe do an orientation with me then send me on my way. LIFT had a more hands-on and personal approach.  I was in a spiral when I first came in, but immediately after working with LIFT I was calmer. My advocate didn’t let me get down or depressed, and she assured me success would happen. Most importantly, LIFT made me feel important and I wasn’t feeling that way at the time when I first came in.  Now, I love my job. Interacting with people is just amazing.  I am so much happier, I smile a lot more. I see myself managing the store, volunteering, and teaching.  I see myself housed.  Now that I’ve been homeless, I really want to help more because there is a need for more voices out there for the homeless."

Source: http://www.liftcommunities.org/boston/our-work/clients/item/498-bill-viera

Press in the Metro!

Press in the Wellesley Townsman!

Make a tax-deductible donation!

Your donations are needed to help us buy new parts for refurbished bikes, new helmets, and new locks! Please follow these simple steps to make your donation today!

1.       Go to http://www.liftcommunities.org/

2.       On the upper right corner, click the orange button labeled as “DONATE”

3.      When this page is open, scroll down to where it says: “I would like to designate my gift to a specific office”. Click on the drop down menu and select “Boston” as the office you want your gift to be directed to.

4.       Continue and scroll down to the bottom of this page, up to section designated for “Additional Information” and type “Gift for LIFT Bike Project” on the box for additional comments. Once you are done, just click “Continue” to complete your donation.

Article in Cambridge Chronicle!

Read about us in the Cambridge Chronicle: Cambridge Bike Program Helps Homeless

See photos of us in the Cambridge Chronicle: Bicycle Program in Cambridge Gives clients a LIFT