Happy Lunar New Year, Family! As we enter February 2025, a month dedicated to celebrating Black history and honoring the legacy of our ancestors (Ase!), it feels more crucial than ever to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of our community, especially our youth. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, where opportunities for our young people are shrinking, the work of the Scraper Bike Team feels less like a program and more like a lifeline.
I want to speak from the heart and express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering belief in our mission. You see, The Scraper Bike Team isn’t just about building bikes; it’s about building hope. It’s about reclaiming space in a city that too often forgets its most vulnerable.
Oakland, a city with a soul as vibrant as its art, has been slowly chipping away at the very things that make it special: its investment in its young people. Funding cuts to youth programs, especially in art, culture, and recreation, aren’t just budget lines; they’re wounds to the heart of our community. They leave our kids with fewer outlets for their energy, fewer places to discover their talents, and fewer positive influences to guide them. Our parks, once bursting with laughter and activity, are now often echoes of what they used to be. This isn’t just neglect; it’s a quiet crisis.
And in that quiet crisis, The Scraper Bike Team was born. We believe that every young person deserves a chance to shine, to express themselves, and to find their place in the world. We use the magic of bikes – not just the mechanics, but the symbolism of freedom and movement – to teach life skills, foster creativity, and build a community where our youth feel seen, heard, and valued.
We’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of this work. We’ve witnessed shy kids blossom into confident leaders, kids struggling with anger find peace in creation, and kids feeling lost find their purpose in our community. These aren’t just stories; they’re testaments to the resilience of our youth and the power of your support.
But we can’t do it alone. In these times, when the challenges facing our youth feel more daunting than ever, your generosity is not just a donation; it’s an investment in the future of Oakland. Every dollar, every shared post, every word of encouragement fuels our mission and helps us reach more young people who desperately need what we offer.
Thank you for being part of the Scraper Bike Team family. Thank you for believing in our youth. And thank you for helping us build a brighter future, one bike at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Tyrone Stevenson Jr., Founder and CVO, Original Scraper Bike Team