Bike repair program empowers Surrey students to pursue their passions
One of the bicycle repair program students helps a younger student test out a bike. (Image: Surrey Schools)
A special Surrey Schools bicycle repair program has found a permanent home at Surrey Traditional Elementary with the official opening of the Bruce Yantz Shop.
Founded in 2013 to provide a positive and productive outlet for at-risk students, the program teaches teens how to repair bicycles, while learning skills like metal work, mechanics and body work.
The program is part of the district’s Education Services School (ESS), which provides secondary students with alternate opportunities to excel and move forward in their academic careers. Having been moved to various sites over the past few years, the program now operates out of a workshop at Surrey Traditional, with the recent naming of the space making it all the more permanent.
The shop is dedicated to the memory of longtime volunteer Bruce Yantz, who donated his time and skills to run a sheet metal program for ESS students.
“He had a really difficult youth and what he felt saved him was that he was given an opportunity try sheet metal work,” said Mark Flynn, principal of Career Education. “His goal was to offer that same opportunity to as many others as he could, and he was a big part of this bike program.”
When Yantz was no longer able to continue his work with the program, bike technician Troy Scott stepped in, and continues to play a crucial role to this day.
ESS Work Transitions Specialist Debbie Holmes said initiatives like the bicycle repair program can often be the turning point for youth who may not otherwise see a way forward in life.
Holmes recalls one student who was introverted and kept to herself for the first part of the program, only looking at the bikes but expressing no desire to touch them.
“She just sat and watched for the first two or three sessions, but during the fourth session, asked if she could work on a gold-coloured 10-speed bike,” said Holmes. “So we got her started on that and she really took to it.”
From there, the student gained confidence working with metal and mechanics, and a few years later, obtained her post-secondary welding certification.
“Now she’s a Red Seal Welder,” said Holmes. “A lot of these kids just need that one spark, and it can change their life.”
Many that come through the program are provided by members of the community or from partners like R.E.C. for Kids Society and Maple Ridge Cycle. They are often repaired and then donated to families in need within the community.
“We had one family that had recently immigrated to Canada and when the kids received their bikes and were riding them around the parking lot, the father was watching with tears in his eyes,” said Holmes. “He said ‘I didn’t think my kids could ever have bikes.’ So this program is really touching a lot of lives.”
Flynn said the shop is looking at adding an e-bike component, as well as exploring other options such as teaching bike painting. But for now, they’re happy to have a permanent place to call home.
The ESS bike program is made possible thanks to various community donors, including the RBC Foundation, which has provided funds for tools, materials and staff, and bike donations from organizations like R.E.C. for Kids Society and Maple Ridge Cycle.
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Debbie Holmes & Mark Flynn at the opening of the Bruce Yantz Shop. (Image: Surrey Schools)
