Website Update...

May I think about this too much, but I get worried about whether or not people understand what Books on Wheels does and more specifically why. So I am working on fine tuning our website "about" page. here is what I have so far updated...

About

Who we are and what we do:

Books on Wheels is a Richmond, Virginia based 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides free books and free bicycle repair. As a mobile operation, Books on Wheels is able to travel to many different communities in Richmond and around the country to provide our services. We work with various other organizations in order to provide to their clients as well as people in their communities. Our services are available to anyone and everyone, yet we do have a concentration in working with at-risk youth in low-income neighborhoods. Currently, we are working on occupying a space within Richmond so we can expand our operation to provide free books and offer bicycle repair classes at a particular location. Our new project will allow for more volunteer participation, as well as ability to reach more people within the community.

Our Mission:

Books on Wheels is dedicated to promoting literacy and alternative transportation, while providing much need resources to our communities lacking access to free books and bicycle tools and education. Through literature and bicycle riding, Books on Wheels works to educate people with empowering tools that they can use within their communities to teach other. In concentrating in working with youth, Books on Wheels strives to encourage young people to read and to learn skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.

How it works:
NOW:
Books on Wheels partners with other community organizations and sets a certain time and location in which the bus will arrive to provide free books and free bicycle repair. Partnering organizations are encouraged to let their clients and neighbors know about the event and to bring their bicycles for repair and their arms for taking books. All books are free and people are encouraged to read them, keep them, or pass them on to someone else. All events are open to the public unless otherwise stated.

SOON:
Books on Wheels Community Space Project (currently in the works) will provide a free bookstore during certain open hours as well as bicycle repair workshops. The main focus of the workshops is to develop a youth bicycle building program that will allow kids under the age of 18 to volunteer 15 hours of work building their own bicycle and they will get to keep it at the end of the program.

How to help:

Books on Wheels depends on the support of the community to continue with our mission. We accept monetary donations, donations of gently used books, and bicycles/bicycle parts. All donations made to Books on Wheels are tax-deductible. Please visit our DONATION page to see how you can help us continue to help others.Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring Books on Wheels!

booksonwheelsva@yahoo.com