Baton Rouge is one of the most difficult cities in the country to live in. With 29% of the youth population living in poverty, and one of the highest homicide rates in the country; growing up the the “2-2-5” is a challenge.
However one Baton Rouge organization is looking to turn things around for the youth.
“It means the world, it gives the the opportunity to just get out of Baton Rouge and they can fly as high as they want.”
Front Yard Bikes has been at the forefront of youth resources in Baton Rouge for nearly 15 years, empowering the children of the capitol city and providing educational opportunities along with community programs; offering mentorship to the youth of the city.
The impact goes far beyond the shop as well. Roblyn Honeysucker, the branch manager at Carver Branch Library across the street from the shop, says it’s a full community effort to support the kids.
“They get a safe place to stay, they have internet where they can do their homework,” Honeysucker said. “The bike shop teaches them welding and gardening and if they can get interested they can come over here and look up videos on welding and gardening, whatever they’re learning there, we back it up.”
This commitment to the community has lead several people to give back to the youth of Baton Rouge.
Derrick Johnson began going to Front Yard Bikes when he was just 14 years old, and now works full time as a mechanic at their Government Street location.
“As a dude that’s coming from nothing,” Johnson said. “It feels like I’m getting somewhere.”
For many of the adults involved, such as Front Yard Bikes Project Manager Hilary Peret, it reinforces their faith.
“It’s also been validating in my belief that the young people of Baton Rouge are actually very strong, they are very skilled, they are very smart and intelligent and they are also very kind,” Peret said.
For those involved, the rewards are much deeper than just a bike.
“The respect that I have learned for these young people and from that organization has really helped guide my thought processes here,” Peret said.
“It makes me feel like I’ll always have a second home,” Johnson said.
