Bike & Build, Inc.

As a board member with a local housing nonprofit, we are so impressed with Bike & Build. The riders we met were passionate, dedicated individuals who make a difference in everyday local communities, not just the big cities. The support provided by Bike & Build goes a long way in helping us provide sustainable, affordable housing to low-income families and homeless domestic violence survivors and their children in our community. Bike & Build is truly a GREAT nonprofit.

As a provider of low income housing, we were blessed to have an amazing group of Bike and Builders visit us in Tallahassee at our Maryland Oaks Crossing program in May 2014. It was our privilege to host them and benefit from their dedicated hard work to improve the lives of others. They were fantastic! Can't say enough positives about this organization and their members. - The Board and Staff of Good News Outreach

With the support and partnership of Bike & Build, the Manhattan Area HFH is able to continue to work hard to engage our youth and empower our communities as we advocate to improve access to decent and affordable shelter. Thank you for helping the Manhattan Area HFH - Build it! We look forward to seeing, meeting, and supporting Bike and Build riders next year!

We love our Bike and Build groups that come to Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho each year! We can always count on them to get the job done in a day, a crucial part of staying on schedule. The group brings a great energy and has a fantastic way of connecting with our Homeowners! It's great to count on the amount of helping hands they bring each year as it enables us to get more of our community members into safe and decent housing.

Our experience with the young woman who rode for our agency from Bike & Build was absolutely amazing. Her dedication to the cause of providing safe, affordable housing for families is inspiring. It is imperative that we educate these young folks to realize that we can do it if we join together. Bike and Build does an incredible job enlisting young folks to help with affordable housing issues. Abby's House in Worcester, Massachusetts is pleased to be a recipient of Bike and Build's generosity!

Bike & Build is a great nonprofit who supports other organizations such as Big Creek People in Action who work with housing rehabilitation with the help of volunteers. They deserve a Top-Rated Award.

Our Bike and Build group was incredible to work with! From their friendliness to their hard work ethic, they made a huge impact here with Habitat of Montrose County in Colorado. Our construction manager, Todd, said they accomplished more than he could have imagined and were a joy to work with.

We hope to partner with Bike & Build again!

Much love,
Heather

Our organization, Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is presently involved with a Youth United Build in which 120 local high school students are fundraising and will be constructing a home for a deserving family. It is good to know that Bike and Build supports such efforts in such an easy way. The grant boosted the efforts of the young students and motivated them upwards and onwards. All of us here at Habitat in Whatcom County appreciate the mission of Bike and Build and their contribution. Most of all, the students directly involved say thank you and are glad to know that others support their efforts.

Bike & Build is a unique non-profit that has always brought young and enthusiastic hard workers to reflect their commitment of providing safe, healthy, and affordable housing in communities nation-wide. They are such a fun group to work with and the heart of those involved definitely shines through. Thank you for supporting Rebuilding Together Portland and those in our community most in need!

Bike & Build, Inc. does an incredible job of staying true to mission and working very hard to provide timely support for that mission. As a professional working in the field of homelessness and housing, I appreciate their focus and drive. The lack of red tape and bureaucracy makes them effective at what they do.

Bike and Build is a wonderful organization where young people take on affordable housing as a cause and bring enthusiasm, a 30+ member volunteer team, and media exposure wherever they ride. Yellow Springs Home, Inc., located in southwest Ohio, has hosted riders for several years and hosted two work days, where we were able to work on more than 10 affordable homes in our community. The riders also add capacity through their competitive grants program, giving up to $10,000 to worthy affordable housing projects that have a community impact and involve young people. What I love most about the agency is bringing leadership opportunities to the youth participants, as they get to make funding decisions and educate the communities they visit on affordable housing issues. Two grants awarded to our agency have made the difference in getting the shovel in the ground. I've never met such a fun, dedicated group of volunteers. I wish I had known about the program earlier - I would have participated!

Bike and Build is a mission-centered, professional organization that does what they set out to do. They are good communicators and provide a wonderful experience for young adults, through both their riding program and their grants program.

Bike and Build has been very helpful to the UT Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. We recently had a former Bike and Build rider come and speak at one of our meetings and she was great! In addition B&B has given us grant opportunities to help us fund our activities. In general, they have been very helpful and represent a great cause!

Bike & Build is a fantastic, holistic approach to service, sacrifice, volunteerism and awareness-raising. Having more than once been blessed by a rider selecting us as the affordable housing organization of their choice, we are humbled to be receiving support from this group for our ministry. What a fantastic program!

Bike and Build is a clear example of successful non-profit organization whose mission and vision permeate every aspect of the organization. From encouraging and supporting youth philanthropy and service to engaging partners and organizations who share their beliefs, Bike and Build goes well beyond the average non-profit.

The staff is responsive, incredibly effective, and most importantly passionate about everything that they do.

It has been a pleasure to partner with such an amazing organization and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together each and every year.

Bike and Build Inc. is an amazing organization comprised of young people making a difference as they bike and build across the USA! Not only do they volunteer their time to build affordable and decent housing-- they also support projects financially across the country. Thank you for the example you set!
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls.

Fostering the philanthropic mindset of each generation is imperative to the work of nonprofits. Bike & Build’s focus on the housing crisis elevates our cause and brings awareness to young adults through active service. We at Amarillo Habitat for Humanity are fortunate to have been the recipients of their generosity and are so thankful for the opportunity. If you are considering any sort of partnership with this organization, we would highly recommend it.

Bike and Build is a great supporter of housing in communities throughout the country. Its members are dedicated to raising funds and working in support of affordable housing. Their emphasis on including young members of the community with affordable housing issues ensures that the future generation will continue to have dedicated individuals working for this cause. Bike and Build was easy to work with, had great communication, and provided wonderful support to our organization!

Bike & Build does a fabulous job engaging students and young adults in affordable housing issues. Not only do these young people build safe, affordable housing for families and help revitalize communities, they also are vocal advocates of solutions to this country's housing crisis. Habitat for Humanity of Kent County in Grand Rapids, Mich., is honored to work alongside Bike & Build toward eradicating poverty housing.

Housing is a basic need that we can all relate to. As a professional working for an affordable housing non-profit, I know first hand how difficult it is to build momentum around a need that is ever present, unlike the needs associated with "major events" like Hurricane Katrina for example (still a most important cause to support). I applaud Bike & Build as an organization for bringing constant attention to the ever present need of decent and affordable housing. I applaud the riders for committing themselves and their time to this cause. I am also very impressed with the the manner in which Bike & Build straddles that fine line between professionalism and familiarity. I appreciate feeling like when I reach out to the organization my needs seem to be important to them. Yet, I also appreciate very much the clear and professional manner in which business is conducted.
Overall, my non-profit is very thankful for the efforts Bike & Build continues to take in making a difference for those in need of housing. Thank you, guys!

I find that Bike & Build is amazing because they are forming youth to be our future leaders. The group was so polite and helpful. They took a day and helped to construct a home for a new Partner Family. In other words they helped our vision of everyone having a decent place to live. The final result of a very valuable gift from Bike & Build, the host and the bikers will enable us to purchase more materials for future homes.

As a representative of a nonprofit affordable housing organization, I am so grateful to Bike & Build for their efforts in benefiting our communities nationwide. The support they provide makes a tremendous impact and means a lot to so many. The volunteer riders are incredible and inspiring. Thanks for all you do!

I have worked with the NC2SD (North Carolina to San Diego) groups every year since the first group came through here in 2007. What an great group of young adults. Restores one's faith in the younger generation despite what is often in the mainstream media. These folks are the next round of movers and shakers and are well along in figuring out what should be moved and exactly what just needs to be shaken a bit. My wife and I have become Bike and Build 'groupies" and are guilty of spoiling the riders a bit at the host site. The riders really generate a lot of interest and awareness of the affordable housing problems in this country.

Bike & Build has a wonderful organizational model that facilitates meaningful experiences for volunteer riders and their donors, and provides valuable financial and volunteer support for affordable housing organizations.This is an innovative program that is well-loved by staff and the community alike!

My time with Bike & Build as a rider on South Carolina to Santa Cruz 2013 was one of the most powerful and eye-opening experiences in my life. I saw more of the country than most Americans ever see, I climbed mountains, crossed deserts, rode through ancient forests, and built homes for wonderful families with some of the best friends I have ever had. It will take some serious work and determination to match the power and freedom I felt during my time with Bike & Build. Please ride, volunteer, share, and donate to this wonderful wonderful organization.

Bike & Build changed my life. They are doing awesome things across the country for not only youth, but anyone that is interested in the cause of affordable housing. I would not be the person I am today without my experience with Bike & Build, and think it's awesome they continue to change lives everyday!

I am the program manager for a transitional housing program for people over 58 years old. Our program is a house, which can hold up to 6 people at a time. Bike and Build has visited us twice and they are a terrific group of young people, who are dedicated to helping the community, which for them extends coast to coast! Thus far, Bike and Build members have painted both our living rooms, helped us sort out an over abundance of kitchen tools, painted our upstairs work room, hallway and bath and painted our downstairs hallway, bath, and kitchen. It is difficult to express here the positive effect this has on the residents in Renewal House! The change in living space was uplifting for all. Thanks.

Bike and Build is an innovative and energetic organization that provides a real opportunity for its participants to make a tangible difference . A pleasure to work with!

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that seeks to address issues of poverty housing in Philadelphia, PA, has been very well served by Bike & Build and its riders. Over the past few years riders on Bike & Build trips have selected HFHP as a recipient organization of several grants, which are a great benefit to us and our work. In addition, we have partnered with Bike & Build staff to plan speaking engagements at local colleges and universities, in order to raise awareness of poverty housing and encourage students to consider getting involved with a Bike & Build trip or with volunteering on Habitat Philadelphia's homebuilding projects. We've enjoyed working with Bike & Build, we appreciate the financial contributions that their riders have made, and we very much look forward to more collaboration in the future!

The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has sponsored the Bike and Build group for 3 years now and each year the group has exceeded our expectations. For the last two years I have been the coordinating individual for this group of young adults and was charged with helping with their accommodations, foods, recreational time and work site schedule. These young adults are enthusiastic, organized and extremely grateful for the experience. In addition, we have benefited by receiving funding from B & B that have further helped individuals that are in need of adequate housing. We would and will invite them back in the future.

We have partnered with Bike and Build for 4 years now providing critical repairs for low income homeowners. The Bike and Build teams are aways passionate, dedicated and willing to do whatever needs to be done to ensure we leave a families home safe, secure and healthy. Additionally the organization and riders have provided a great deal of financial support to fund critical repair work for low-income homeowners in Philadelphia. Bike and Build has been a pleasure to work with.

Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area has been partnering with Bike and Build every year since its beginnings. We are a small Habitat affiliate and look forward to the Bike and Build event each year. Bike and Builders have helped with our home construction and when we are not building a home we have had them help with the remodeling of our ReStore and also with building shelves and organizing our "Save for Build" storage room. No matter what task we have set aside for them, they complete it with enthusiasm.

Bike & Build donated $500 to our ministry, Saginaw Habitat for Humanity (SHFH), in 2011 and in 2012. Bethany Morris rode over 3,800 miles across the northern US in 2011 and designated a portion of the funds she raised to us. A friend of hers, Mike Lauckner, was inspired to do a similar ride in 2012 and also designated a portion of the funds he raised to SHFH. It is humbling to know that young people are committed to decent and affordable housing and are willing to invest such incredible effort to assist families in need.

We have been pleased to be able to host cyclists from Bike and Build in our church for two years. We have been amazed by the energy and enthusiasm of these young people and the commitment they demonstrate for the issue of affordable housing. They are well-organized, polite, flexible, deeply appreciative, and inspire us all to do whatever we do better! I hope we can continue to work with Bike and Build in the future.

They are fantastic. This group of energetic bikers make a difference in helping to build houses across the country.

Two Bike and Build teams stayed at our church this summer. Both were very respectful of our space and helped to clean up when they left. They shared their energy with Habitat for Humanity projects in our community. It is a delight to be part of this effort and I look forward to continued association with them in the future.

Bike and Build brought a youthful energy to our community for the 16 hours they spent with us. Their positive attitudes in helping others was very evident as they told their stories of who they were, where they were from and how they got involved with Bike & Build. The leadership and organizational skills are amazing as they unpacked and packed each day for their journey.

Bike & Build participants make significant financial and labor contributions to affordable housing projects and raising awareness of the need for affordable housing. They've stayed overnight at my church for about five years. Each time they've given informative presentations and cleaned up well before departing.

WE had a great group of bikers pass thru our town last summer. They volunteered for a day as we laid sod and landscaped a recentlyl remodeled home. The team was great. They showed up on time and worked really hard. Wish we had them all the time.

I am the Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland. Not only have the cyclists helped build homes the last 5 summers, they have inspired youg people in our community by offering the free bike clinic to youth at our local YMCA. The message they spread about the housing crisis in the USA is vital and the dedication they have to their cause is admirable. It helps other youth understand that they can make a difference too. In addition they have helped fund a home built each year by 2 local high school Building Trades classes through grant awards. Our ISD has 51% of students coming from economically disadvantaged homes and these funds help those Building Trades students gain needed vocational skills. We love Bike and Build.

We host the Northern US trip route and have had wonderful experiences with every group we have hosts. The young adults from every year (10 years & counting!) have been polite, respectful, FUN, and a wonderful example to our youth here at the church. They are so accepting and appreciative of anything we do for them! I look forward to meeting a different group every year! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a host for Bike & Build.

We have hosted the South Carolina to Santa Cruz group for the past three years. What a wonderful opportunity to meet terrific people. The participants are always so interesting and appreciative. I admire thier dedication to this wonderful organzation!

We have hosted Bike and Build for four years. We have found the riders to be respectful and courteous. They make an effort to fit into our community. They clean up their surroundings before they go. We always look forward to their visit. They are always appreciative of what we provide for them.

The Bike and Build riders have stayed with us for 3 years on their way to Philadelphia. The positive energy and enthusiasm that they exhibit is delightful. We always arrange for them to present their mission to our after school program. The questions that our students come up with is always amusing, and the riders respond with respect and humor. In exchange, our South Side Steppers perform a precision marching show and teach the riders some moves. It has been an excellent way to share cultures, mission, and experiences.

Our church, St. David's Episcopal in Page AZ, hosted the Southern Route for one night. I was the coordinator and contact person for their stay and our potluck dinner for them. Everyone here who worked with them found the group to be wonderful and energizing. We loved having them here. This is the fourth time we have hosted Bike and Build. It's always a great experience for us, and I hope for them.

Habitat for Humanity of West Central Iowa has hosted Bike and Build Groups for eight years in a row. We have always been impressed with these young adults, they are energetic, very polite, well mannored and very respectful. The Bike and Build Groups have helped us with four seperate home builds in the area and we are amazed sometimes by the skill level some of these young people have. With thier help we can accomplish in one day what would have taken us a week. We look forward to seeing this group every year they come into the area.

Bike and Build is the perfect combination of service and youth empowerment. I worked closely with this organization for one year as a trip leader for a ride across the country and feel that they are much more efficient, effective and inspirational than any other non-profit or government organization that I have ever seen up-close. The leaders both in the office and on the ground truly believe in the cause for affordable housing and social justice, and the riders/volunteers are empowered to no only be lifelong supporters and advocates of affordable housing, but also lifelong cyclists with a sense of adventure. In addition to priceless leadership and survival skills I learned as a Bike and Builder, because of my time as a volunteer in Bike and Build, I am a lifelong supporter (and volunteer) for Habitat for Humanity and I love to ride my bike!

Bike & Build in an excellent organization run by dedicated and passionate young adults. I participated as a rider in one of their cross-country cycling trips in 2009. Our group of 32 riders raised over $130,000 to support affordable housing organizations--and we were just one of eight groups biking across country that year! We worked at 8 build sites along the route with affordable housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Half of the funds we raised that summer went to building half of a duplex in Providence, RI, and we helped decide what other organizations should receive grants from Bike & Build. It was a life-changing experience for me, and I have continued to stay involved with the organization by sponsoring other riders and attending the 10-year anniversary celebration (complete with fundraising for affordable housing and a build day with the Philadelphia chapter of Rebuilding Together).

I biked from Providence to Seattle in 2009 to raise money and awareness for affordable housing through Bike & Build. It was one of the most meaningful experiences that I have had. I was a part of a team of 32 that biked, ate, built, and slept together for 10 weeks. Everyone was driven and passionate about making a difference. We supported affordable housing in different ways - raising donations, assisting at build sites, and spreading the word at local site presentations.