Recycled Bike Program Puts Recovering Addicts on New Path
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: October 11, 2012
BLOOMINGTON--Seventeen year old Travis Reed loves traveling the outdoors by bike.
But, when it comes to the past, both he and his cycle have hit a few road bumps.
"I started using when I was maybe around 11 years old at the time," said Reed.
He lives in Bloomington, at Chestnut Health Systems Phoenix Recovery Home.
It's a place for young adults to overcome drug addictions.
"When I had my opportunity to come here I thought this is it," said Reed. "This is my opportunity to change."
The facility offers daily "how to" workshops like bike repair, which teaches its clients independent living skills.
"Honestly, I love riding bikes. It's one of my favorite things to do," said client Jared Endicott.
Eighteen year old Jared Endicott has had his share of issues too.
"I started with alcohol first, then came the marijuana, then came cocaine," Endicott recalls.
But with the help of these bikes, Endicott is peddling past those problems.
That's because clients who stay clean earn the freedom to travel on their own.
"It's a good feeling, like you accomplished something."
While the cycles are "recycled," if a chain should snap loose, these clients now know how to fix them on their own.
"It gives me the extra experience and extra work program I need," said Reed.
It's a lesson that goes farther than the bike itself.
Because just like their lives, when something goes wrong, all it needs is a bit of repair to find a whole new purpose.
Bike Donation:
The bikes are donated by Rick Heiser of West Bloomington.
He's been fixing up cycles for years, and giving them to community members in need.
But, when it comes to the past, both he and his cycle have hit a few road bumps.
"I started using when I was maybe around 11 years old at the time," said Reed.
He lives in Bloomington, at Chestnut Health Systems Phoenix Recovery Home.
It's a place for young adults to overcome drug addictions.
"When I had my opportunity to come here I thought this is it," said Reed. "This is my opportunity to change."
The facility offers daily "how to" workshops like bike repair, which teaches its clients independent living skills.
"Honestly, I love riding bikes. It's one of my favorite things to do," said client Jared Endicott.
Eighteen year old Jared Endicott has had his share of issues too.
"I started with alcohol first, then came the marijuana, then came cocaine," Endicott recalls.
But with the help of these bikes, Endicott is peddling past those problems.
That's because clients who stay clean earn the freedom to travel on their own.
"It's a good feeling, like you accomplished something."
While the cycles are "recycled," if a chain should snap loose, these clients now know how to fix them on their own.
"It gives me the extra experience and extra work program I need," said Reed.
It's a lesson that goes farther than the bike itself.
Because just like their lives, when something goes wrong, all it needs is a bit of repair to find a whole new purpose.
Bike Donation:
The bikes are donated by Rick Heiser of West Bloomington.
He's been fixing up cycles for years, and giving them to community members in need.
