This June, young people in Elkhart will have the chance to learn hands-on bike repair skills through the Junior Bicycle Mechanics Program at the Tolson Center for Community Excellence. The program will be led by Josh Robeson, an Americorps member serving the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, and Colleen New, an educator who has facilitated various bicycle education programs with and for the South Bend Bike Garage. The effort is more than a workshop—it’s an opportunity for young riders to gain real skills while making a difference in their own neighborhoods.

Many people in Elkhart rely on bicycles for daily transportation, but repair services can be costly. By teaching kids how to do basic repairs, we’re not only giving them a useful trade—we’re helping ensure that more people have safe, working bicycles when they need them.